Crossing Londons Rivers

In an era when bell-bottoms swayed like the Thames in a gentle breeze, John Pudney set out to navigate the murky waters of London’s rivers—not with a boat, mind you, but with a pen that dripped with the ink of nostalgia and a splash of irreverence. “Crossing London’s Rivers,” published in 1972 by JM Dent, is a literary expedition that invites readers to meander through the less-charted tributaries of the British capital, where each page promises to be as unpredictable as the weather on a Monday morning.

Hardback. Dustcover is slighly dogged with old cellotape around edges. Book is also slightly warped, but its hardly noticable.Has 34 pictures.

Picture it: a time when the world was still trying to make sense of disco and the three-day week, and Pudney, with his tweed jacket and a penchant for pithy observations, decided it was high time someone wrote a love letter to the lesser-known waterways of London. This book isn’t just a travelogue; it’s a quirky homage to the often overlooked, those watery veins that pulse beneath the urban sprawl, like the secret life of the city itself. One can only imagine the tea-fueled brainstorming sessions that led to the musings contained within these pages—were there biscuits involved? Were the biscuits even digestives?

As you turn these pages, prepare yourself for a potpourri of irony, whimsy, and the occasional existential crisis. Pudney’s prose is as refreshing as a cool breeze on a sultry summer’s day, guiding you through a kaleidoscope of anecdotes, historical tangents, and perhaps a bemused look at the absurdity of life alongside a river that, let’s face it, is probably more famous for its fog than its fish. It’s a bit like the London Eye: you think you know what you’re getting into, but as you ascend, you discover there’s so much more to see from a different angle.

Readers will be whisked away through moments of unexpected profundity and perhaps a whimsical encounter with a duck or two, because who doesn’t enjoy a poetic rhapsody about waterfowl? Each chapter appears to promise a leisurely stroll along the banks, only to take an unexpected plunge into the abyss of philosophical musing, leaving you wondering if you should really be taking life so seriously. Is the river a metaphor for life? Or just a convenient spot for a sandwich? You’ll have to read to find out.

One can’t help but admire Pudney’s ability to weave together the past and present—a delightful tapestry of nostalgia that makes you wish you could don a bowler hat and stroll alongside the Thames in search of lost time, while muttering to yourself about how things were better back in the day. He invites you to relish the small things, like the sound of water against stone or the sight of a rogue shopping trolley making its home in a quiet corner of a neglected riverbank. You’ll find your mind wandering, not unlike a wayward swan, as you ponder the mysteries of urban life.

Condition: Good, which is a euphemism for “this book has seen things.” Expect the pages to be slightly yellowed, possibly with a hint of the crumbs from a long-forgotten biscuit, but that just adds to its charm. The spine is intact, which is impressive given the number of times it has undoubtedly been opened and perused in search of literary enlightenment or a quick chuckle. It has the right amount of creases—like a well-travelled suitcase, it bears the marks of its journey and the adventures that await you within.

So, if you find yourself yearning for a literary trip down London’s waterways, perhaps while ignoring the existential weight of modern life, then “Crossing London’s Rivers” is the perfect companion. Just remember to bring your sense of humour, a sturdy pair of wellingtons, and a slight willingness to question why you’re reading a book about rivers when there’s a perfectly good television waiting for your attention. Head over to Crappy Old Books and grab your copy today; after all, who wouldn’t want to wade through John Pudney’s musings on the hidden gems of London’s aquatic arteries?

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