The River of London

The whole theme of the book is expressed in one short quote: 'The Thames made London.' It is a declaration of love from the author to his city and its great river. The book examines the relationship between the Thames and the city in nearly forensic detail. It shows how they influence and shape each other. Besides, the author analyzes other European cities, their prominent rivers, and how they influenced the development of their politics, economy, and culture. That is why, it gives an excellent opportunity to look at London and Europe at the beginning of the 20th century before wars and political turmoilaffected them.

Hilaire Belloc, the full name Joseph Hilaire Pierre René Belloc, (1870 - 1953), was a Franco-English writer and historian of the early twentieth century. He was a brother of Marie Adelaide Belloc Lowndes, a prolific English writer, and a grandson of the famous French painter Jean-Hilaire Belloc. Belloc combined literary career with political activity and was the President of the Oxford Union and later MP for Salford South from 1906 to 1910. As a writer, Belloc left a solid trace: he authored over 150 books, with the subjects ranging from warfare to poetry to the many current topics of his day. He was also famous for debates with such great writers as H. G. Wells, George Bernard Shaw, and G. K. Chesterton. Together they were called Big Four of Edwardian Letters.