***By the No. 1 Sunday Times bestselling author of THE FIVE***'A fascinating expose of the
seamy side of eighteenth century life' MAIL ON SUNDAY 'Rubenhold's pages practically reek with
smelly pox-ridden Georgian Soho' GUARDIAN
------------------------------------------------------- In 1757 a down-and-out Irish poet the
head waiter at the Shakespear's Head Tavern in Covent Garden and a celebrated London courtesan
became bound together by the publication of a little book: Harris's List of Covent Garden
Ladies. This salacious work - detailing the names and 'specialities' of the capital's
sex-workers- became one of the eighteenth century's most scandalous bestsellers. Yet beyond its
titillating passages lies a glimpse into the lives of those who lived and died by its profits -
a tragicomic opera of the Georgian era motivated by poverty passionate love aspiration and
shame. In this modern and visceral narrative historian Hallie Rubenhold reveals the story
behind Harris's List of Covent Garden Ladies and the legion of ordinary women whose lives in
the sex trade history has chosen to ignore. 'Scrupulously researched' DAILY TELEGRAPH 'Crackles
with drama and tension' GUARDIAN 'Compelling and ingenious' INDEPENDENT WHAT READERS ARE
SAYING: 'This book is an absolute 'must'-read for any person interested in English social
history' 5 **** 'Fascinating' 5 **** 'Brilliant. Full of intelligent insight which brings this
period to vibrant life' 5 ****
