'London: A Pilgrimage' was conceived in 1868 by the journalist and playwright Blanchard Jerrold. Accompanied by the famous artist Gustave Doré, Jerrold prowled every corner of the heaving metropolis, sometimes with plain-clothes police for protection. 'London: A Pilgrimage' is a forgotten classic of social journalism, a frank and brutal look at the poverty striken, gin-swilling London of the nineteenth century, written in a perceptive, bold and gripping style.

180 incredible etchings by Doré escort Jerrold on his odyssey through the pulsating city, into the Lambeth gas works, seedy opium dens and grubby bathing houses; peering curiously into the desperate lives of the flower sellers, lavender girls and organ grinders. 'London: A Pilgrimage' is an enlightening work that brings to life the chaotic and gloomy past of a great city on the cusp of modern times.

Peter Ackroyd's excellent introduction sheds further light on the period and the context in which Jerrold and Doré felt compelled to reveal to the world the squalor into which London was slowly sinking.

Blanchard Jerrold (1826-1884) was both journalist and playwright, with 'Cool as a Cucumber' the most successful of his plays. He was also editor of 'Lloyd's Weekly News'.

Gustav Doré (1832-1883) was an amazingly gifted artist and among his many works are illustrated editions of 'Paradise Lost', the Bible and 'The Idylls of the Kings'.

Peter Ackroy’s many publications include 'London: the Biography' (2000) and 'The Lambs of London' (2004).

Anthem Travel Classics

List of Illustrations; Introduction by Peter Ackroyd; Preface; Introduction; I: London Bridge; II: The Busy River-Side; III. The Docks; IV. Above Bridge towards Westminster; V. All London at A Boat Race; VI. The Race; VII. The Derby; VIII. London on the Drowns; IX. The West End; X. In the Season; XI. By the Abbey; XII. London, Under Green Leaves; XIII. With the Beasts; XIV: Work-A-Day London; XV. Humble Industries; XVI. The Town of Malt; XVII. Under Lock and Key; XVIII. Whitechapel and Thereabouts; XIX. In the Market Place; XX. London at Play; XXI. London Charity