Cultureshock London

By and large, this is an excellent series for moving beyond the usual sort of travel book and getting a look at what makes a city or a country work elsewhere in the world. I spent some time in the UK about forty years ago, got thoroughly hooked on London, and have made several visits back there since, but I was never able to figure a way to move there permanently -- or I simply never quite worked up the nerve. Whatever. The Thatcher years changed the city enormously and mostly not for the best, and the Blair years (which this book doesn't cover, obviously) probably have changed things yet again. But the root condition of "London-ness" hasn't changed in centuries, and the author does a very good job of communicating what that is, from the day-to-day workings of the "nanny state" and the natural civility and courtesy of most Londoners (most of them, most of the time) to thumbnail descriptions of the Metropolitan Area's neighborhoods and why you *really* don't want to own a car there if you can help it. Hargraves is a Yank who spent seven years living and working as an almost-ordinary bloke in London, and his perspective, leavened by dry wit, make for very engaging reading.

I'm planning on studying in London for a year or more, and was so greatful for this book. It's an interesting read, more than a reference book, but can be referred to over and over again. Reccomened if you are going to spend time living, not visiting London, or if you are just interested in the city and its culture.

I was happy to find this book because it answered all the questions I had about going to London and spending about six months there. It goes beyond the tourist layer of London (which is pretty thick) and gets you into the city as it exists for Londoners. Even after several months here I still refer to it often and it has helped me to really enjoy the city, away from the madding crowds.