London Hidden Interiors: An English Heritage Book
After the German airstrikes during WWII destroyed many buildings in London, a concerted effort was made to preserve historic buildings and places. This gorgeous book captures the interiors of 180 different places throughout London, mostly private buildings or areas with restricted public access. Examples include the ornate ceilings and floors of Freemason’s Hall; the decaying walls and stairs of an abandoned subway station in Kingsway; and the regal dining hall of the Charterhouse monastery, where Sir Thomas More found retreat in 1499. There is also a peek inside Lloyd’s of London and the Ministry of Defence. Each entry has a descriptive narrative and two to four pages of brilliant color photographs—1,700 photographs in all. Readers interested in architecture, historical interior design, or British history will find much to treasure in this work. --Rebecca Vnuk