A fascinating new account of the history of the English house from the country's preeminent
architectural historian 'Cruickshank's enthusiasm for England's vernacular architecture
shines through every infectious sentence of this glorious book... A triumph .' - The Times '
A mine of information presented in an effortlessly accessible style . Unlike many books that
merely convey stories attached to buildings this is social and architectural history delivered
with forensic insight' - Country Life This is the story of the superbly elegant early
eighteenth-century Pallant House in Chichester. It's the story of 19 Princelet Street in
Spitalfields built for a Huguenot silk-weaver ultimately a synagogue. It's also the story of
- among others - a row of two-up two-downs in Toxteth a block of flats in London's East End
and what Ideal Home 's magazine described in 1926 as Britain's 'first modern house' - in
Northampton. Together these buildings reveal the ways in which English homes have developed
and changed over the past few centuries. At the same time as Dan Cruickshank shows they have
much to tell us about the lives of their first occupants: their aspirations their struggles
their place within society and relationship with their local community. The English House
brilliantly weaves these two strands together blending architectural and social history to
create a series of brilliantly observed portraits of fascinating buildings. Praise for Dan
Cruickshank 'Genial erudite and companionable . . . this heroic and heartfelt book caps a
career devoted to [Spitalfields'] heritage.' ? Spectator 'With beguiling erudition TV
historian and local resident Cruickshank tells the story of Spitalfields from Roman times to
today . . . This is people's history at its tastiest.' ? Sunday Express 'A passionate
scholarly energy and involvement with every era of the district's long history come off
Spitalfields' pages . . . Absorbing detail.' ? Times Literary Supplement 'Cruickshank writes
perceptively and honestly . . . As well as being a fascinating account of a unique area of
London Spitalfields is a timely warning that helps us to appreciate what the city and country
risk losing.' ? Country Life 'A delight to read . . . Teaches one how to use one's eyes more
intelligently.' -- Jean Seaton Chair of Judges PEN Hessell-Tiltman History Prize
