22 Walks in Bangkok: Exploring the City's Historic Back Lanes and Byways
"A long walk in sweltering Bangkok would appear a daft proposition, fit only for mad dogs and Englishmen. And it has taken a knowledgeable and persevering Englishman to piece together not one but 22 splendidly labyrinthine strolls littered with the sort of historical trivia that brings the city's backstreets to life. Barrett's investment in shoe leather has clearly paid off."—Vijay Verghese, editor,SmartTravelAsia.com"Demonstrating an impressive command of the history of each neighbourhood of the old city of Bangkok at the grassroots level, Kenneth Barrett has written the first book in the English language that really introduces the districts of this culturally and architecturally diverse city. Written in lively prose,22 Walks in Bangkokis both local history to be read at home, and heritage guide to be clutched in hand while exploring the back lanes of the city on foot."—James Stent, chairman, Siamese Heritage Trust of the Siam Society under Royal Patronage"The best way to truly get to know this city is on foot, and22 Walks in Bangkokis a book that opens historical windows to the past…as well as telling how the city has become what it is today. For tourists as well as residents, this publication adds to the store of knowledge about Bangkok and offers a hands-on, foot-down way of getting to know the City of Angels."—Naphalai Areesorn, editor-in-chief,Thailand Tatler"The metamorphosis of Bangkok from a water town to an overland city in less than three generations left behind a trail of the unexpected and undecided in the urban fabric. Strolling in and out of the alleys of Bangkok with Kenneth Barrett will reveal the unlikely and the co-existence of the opposite in the built forms and lifestyle of the inhabitants."—Sumet Jumsai, architect"I thought I knew Bangkok but Kenneth Barrett proved me wrong. He's shown me a whole different side to the city that I never knew existed. It's as if you're walking through the city with a friend who has lived there his whole life."—Stephen Leather, author,Private Dancer"My journalism thesis at university was an attempt to define New York as a multitude of neighborhoods in search of a city. Kenneth Barrett has topped me in doing the same thing for messy Bangkok, a vast sprawl of unfocused energy I had always, until now, considered unwalkable. It takes a photographer's eye to see all that he's found and a writer's skill to share it so engagingly."—Jerry Hopkins, author,Romancing the East"Did you ever hear of a guidebook that reads like a novel? Well, pick up a copy of22 Walks in Bangkokand that is what you will find. I couldn't put the book down. The author has a wonderful way of making history come alive."—Harold Stephens, travel correspondent, Thai Airways"Bangkok has so many sides to it, and yet most visitors only get to see a fraction of what is an absolutely fascinating city. This wonderful book will entice even long-term residents (like myself) to leave their cars behind and discover all kinds of curiosities and hidden attractions."—Colin Hastings, publisher,The BigChilli