A wonderful snapshot of our capital before the Second World War, and a charming insight into our attitudes to urban life back in the Thirties. Cohen-Portheim was an Austrian traveler and writer who was interned during World War I, but his enforced stay made him fall in love with England and in particular, London, and this is his take on the irrepressible city. It is his interpretation of life in London through her people, her buildings and her history.

The chapters include: Towns within, Town Streets and their Life, Green London, London Amusements and Night Life, Traditional London, London and the British and London and the Foreigner (surprisingly liberal).

Spirit of London includes the iconic Brian Cook cover illustration of Ludgate Circus and St Pauls, and should be sought after for that alone. Add in the charm of the authentic voice of a 1930s Londoner, it should be enjoyed by all Londoners.