1776: A London Chronicle
or How to Divert Oneself
while Losing an Empire
• A revealing portrait of London life during the year of American independence, in the form of a day by day chronicle of events
• Based closely on diaries, letters and newspaper reports
and drawing on a wealth of previously unpublished material,
from state papers to Edward Gibbon’s pocket-
• Includes a detailed Tour of the sedan chair and
coffee-
• With over 370 contemporary illustrations
Hardback, 234 x 156mm. Extent: 768pp + 16pp colour plates.
Published in 2019. ISBN: 978-
‘An excellent book … I found it exhilarating to be thrust into the dangers of Dr Johnson’s city … High and low, scandal and political philosophy, mix on every page … It’s a world tremendously enjoyable to be immersed in.’ (Christopher Howse, Sunday Telegraph)
‘What was it like living in London and going about one’s business as the American War of Independence raged across the Atlantic? This diverting and exquisitely produced chronicle shows us exactly how it was, capturing daily life through diaries, letters, newspaper reports and 370 contemporary illustrations. Among the events it describes are riots at Drury Lane Theatre, the fashion for elaborate head-
