Piccadilly: The Circus at the Heart of London Paperback – 8 June 2023

I'm a huge fan of London history books - but often struggle to find one which tells a new story, or doesn't have some kind of social/political axe to grind. Piccadilly - the Circus at the Heart of London is the perfect title for the chaotic but reassuring presence at the bottom of Shaftesbury Avenue. Within a comparatively short time frame, the author manages to convey brilliantly huge social change, lurid under-currents, wartime adventures and tragedies, a sense of London as was in early 20th century - and its current state of affairs. Would very much recommend and absolutely perfect this time of year as a Christmas present. Just make sure to gift-wrap Simpsons style!