Black Plaques London: Memorials to Misadventure

Black Plaques are not to be found proudly mounted on a wall
and for good reason. What with their commemoration of a brutal execution outside Westminster Abbey, the selling of sex toys in St James’s Park, and an intruder at Buckingham Palace with Royal undergarments stuffed down his trousers, this is not the sort of historical subject matter authorities choose to grace a building’s facade or depict on a visitor information board. In fact, many people might hope such indecorous and inconvenient episodes remain quietly overlooked. But this book jogs such artful lapses of memory and at one hundred and fifty locations across London, Black Plaques lift the carefully placed rug to discover a big stain. The unseemly blemishes brought to light recall moments when mankind was not enjoying its finest hour, so there are scenes every reader should find disturbing. AUTHOR: John Ambrose Hide’s background is in audio production for film, TV and music, and this is his first book. He has written and produced audio guides to London’s top ten visitor attractions, shortlisted for ‘Best Tourism Experience’ at BT Visit London Awards 2009. He secured a UK trademark on ‘Black Plaque(s)’ as the perfect title for the kind of storytelling he enjoys.
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