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Back to the Local by Maurice Gorham
£10.00
Available
Product Ref. (e.g. ISBN, SKU)
9780571386987
Published:
06 Jun 2024
Format:
Paperback
Number of pages:
144 pages
Dimensions:
198x129x3mm
Weight:
0.152kgs
Author:
In this love letter to the London pub, our genial guide takes the reader through all aspects of the local hostelry as it was in the 1940s - a time of dark wood, dark corners and dark beer. 'Back to the Local' is a fascinating nostalgic ramble around the post-war pubs of London: we are introduced to The Regulars and Barmaids Old and New; we venture into the familiar surroundings of the Saloon Lounge, Saloon Bar and Public Bar and squeeze into possibly the lesser known Jug-And-Bottle Bar, where customers queue to buy ale to drink elsewhere; we learn about 'lost' drinks such as 'The Mother-in-Law' or 'The Snort'.
One of the Financial Times' 'Best Summer Books of 2024'
'Probably the most delightful and evocative book ever produced on the English pub.' Slightly Foxed
'Will make you homesick for saloons, riverside pubs, and 'jug-and-bottle bars' you never knew existed.' Vittles
'Wonderful . . . a detailed study of life in London pubs.' Islington Tribune
'Both a historical document and a time capsule that stands the test of time, from its charming illustrations by Gorham's collaborator, artist Edward Ardizzone, to the index of London taverns that are (largely) mostly still open.' Róisìn Lanigan, Irish Independent
'A book that glows like the logs on an open fire or the ruddy features of the regular ordering another glass of Burton.' Andy Miller, author of A Year of Dangerous Reading and co-host of the Backlisted podcast
'A little gem of a book.' Henry Jeffreys, author of Empire of Booze and Vines in a Cold Climate
'A delightful book. Perfect bedtime reading, when you get back from the pub, perhaps.' David Harsent
In this love letter to the London pub, our genial guide takes the reader through all aspects of the local hostelry as it was in the 1940s - a time of dark wood, dark corners and dark beer. Back to the Local is a fascinating nostalgic ramble around the post-war pubs of London: we are introduced to The Regulars and Barmaids Old and New; we venture into the familiar surroundings of the Saloon Lounge, Saloon Bar and Public Bar and squeeze into possibly the lesser known Jug-And-Bottle Bar, where customers queue to buy ale to drink elsewhere; we learn about 'lost' drinks such as 'The Mother-in-Law' or 'The Snort'. A truly memorable pub crawl, illustrated by the wonderfully atmospheric drawings of Edward Ardizzone.
This edition includes a fold out map showing the pubs featured in the book which are still trading, plus a new preface by Robert Elms.
About the Author: Maurice Gorham (1902-1975) was an Irish journalist and broadcasting executive. In various capacities, he worked for the BBC from 1926 to 1947 when he resigned, returning to Ireland. There he resumed his broadcasting career in 1953 as the Director of Radio Eireann, a position he held until 1959. He collaborated with Edward Ardizzone on three books, The Local (reissued after the Second World War as Back to the Local - and now published by Faber Finds), Londoners and Showmen and Suckers.
| Number of pages | 144 |
|---|
We will despatch your order as quickly as we can. If, for whatever reason, a product is out of stock we will contact you to discuss the likely delivery time or an alternative product.
| First Item | 2 Items & Over | |
|---|---|---|
| UK | £3.75 | £5.00 |
| EU | £15.00 | £30.00 |
| USA & Canada | £30.00 | £50.00 |
| Rest of the World | £45.00 | £60.00 |
| Collect in Store | free | free |
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