Walking Haunted London

Rating:
Summary: A splendid companion for rambles in London!
Review: Even for those who don't believe in ghosts! It's a good idea to have some sort of a quest when you travel, whether it be the search for the driest pub cider or the quintessential Wren spire. Without some such unifying theme, travel can become a pointless round of obligatory tourist stops. Hunting hauntings is an excellent quest because it inevitably involves two of the main joys of travel in England--history and atmosphere. I have spent four fascinating vacations in England seeking the most haunted site in the Isles and the ultimate English garden--with liberal dashes of theatre and museums for variety-and still I have only scratched the surface of each subject. "Walking Haunted London" was a wonderful addition to my most recent trip. I took the entire Chiswick walk (backwards) and did portions of the Old City, City of the Dead, Westminster, and Covent Garden walks. All creepily enjoyable! Not only are the walks well-described and the ghosts' stories enthusiastically recounted, but the book gives good hints about other important matters, such as cosy pubs and interesting historical sites on or near the routes. (By the way, I understand that Richard Jones also guides the "Original Psychic Ghost Walk" in London many nights of the year. I haven't taken this walking tour myself, but if his storytelling skills match his storywriting skills, it's probably great. If interested, check the TimeOut listings when in town.)

Rating:
Summary: A MUST-HAVE Book if you're visiting London
Review: EXCELLENT book. Very well written and moves right along. Fantastic, simple maps that look easy to follow--going to give them the test next time I'm in London. Even without being in London, just reading the text was extremely enjoyable. I've read TONS of ghost books; and he's found haunts of London I didn't even know existed; along with the "old standard" ghosts of Tower of London. This book is INDISPENSIBLE if you're visiting London--or if you just need a good scare!

Rating:
Summary: Very well written, but lacks depth of the actual hauntings
Review: I found this book to be extremely well written. Although I have not yet been to London, the directions and maps seem to be superb. In addition to the basic ghost "tour," the author also treats the reader to nice little stops along the tours -- like pubs and eateries. Estimated tour times are also given so one can plan their day.
The actual book itself is very well made. Higher quality than most paperbacks. It should easily hold up to heavy use while touring the streets of London.

HOWEVER, I was greatly disappointed with the book because very little detail is given to the actual hauntings and stories for which the tours are based. I found this book bland and boring because it lacks the details (historical or eye-witness accounts) that help draw and keep the reader's attention. Often a chapter consists of more directions than actual ghost stories.
I have read dozens, perhaps hundreds, of books on ghosts and hauntings for which I have created a baseline used to judge other ghosts and haunting books. I had to force myself to finish reading this book. A first for me when it comes to a true-story ghost book.
I would give the book 5 stars for directions, maps, and touring information. However, the actual stories of hauntings are so short and lack-luster that I dropped the overall rating to 2 stars.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book, Five Stars Plus Some
Review: I have lived in London off on on for years now and collect "walking London" type books to fill my spare time. This book is by far my favorite. The pubs mentioned are some of the most atmospheric and often unknown to most tourists (check out the Nell Gwyn, down a dark alley in Covent Garden). Often the bartenders are very open to talking about their resident ghosts once you've purchased a pint (hmm..I wonder why). My husband is a Londoner and was surprised, after taking some walks, of the places he wasn't aware existed or their history attached. The book is written in a crisp, to the point manner which makes it perfect for reading while walking. The Jack the Ripper walk is very well written and could take the place of a professionally guided Ripper tour if you're the type that likes to go it alone (although the Ripper walk that starts at the Tower Bridge tube is suppose to be wonderful). The maps are very well done and easy to follow. I didn't see any ghosts (except that the haunted loo at Rules Restaurant did feel a little eerie) but I definitely have a great time every time I set out with this book. ;)

Rating:
Summary: Well Written and Very Atmospheric
Review: I really enjoyed reading this book and following the routes. Richard Jones is a compelling storyteller and his eyes for direction and detail is excellent. I purchased the book prior to my recent vacation in London and read it cover to cover on the plane over. The first route I followed was the Jack the Ripper Walk and I found it spinechilling. Whitechapel seems as eerie and crime-ridden now as it did back in 1888. I took Jones's suggestion and purchased the A-Z of jack the Ripper before setting out and so was well prepared with the additional information required. I found the Tower of London walk a superbly laid out route around the old fortress. It kept me well away from the crowds and in some of the towers I was totally alone (at least I hope I was.)The text captured perfectly the ambience of each section of the tower's towers.

Yes a lot of the stories are short, but this they are crisply written, are extremely well told and cram a lot of detail into the space. And with 25 walks plus a detailed index crammed into its 160 pages it offers extremely good value for money. The book is first and foremost an "on the hoof guide" and is not a detailed investigation into ghosts and hauntings. It is fun and informative and the directions are very detailed but also, and this wasn't the case with several other guides I had purchased, accurate. Jones's directions across Hampstead Heath for example, were extremely easy to follow. In short this is a boook that will appeal both to the armchair walker and the avid wanderer.

Rating:
Summary: Well Written and Very Atmospheric
Review: I really enjoyed reading this book and following the routes. Richard Jones is a compelling storyteller and his eyes for direction and detail is excellent. I purchased the book prior to my recent vacation in London and read it cover to cover on the plane over. The first route I followed was the Jack the Ripper Walk and I found it spinechilling. Whitechapel seems as eerie and crime-ridden now as it did back in 1888. I took Jones's suggestion and purchased the A-Z of jack the Ripper before setting out and so was well prepared with the additional information required. I found the Tower of London walk a superbly laid out route around the old fortress. It kept me well away from the crowds and in some of the towers I was totally alone (at least I hope I was.)The text captured perfectly the ambience of each section of the tower's towers.

Yes a lot of the stories are short, but this they are crisply written, are extremely well told and cram a lot of detail into the space. And with 25 walks plus a detailed index crammed into its 160 pages it offers extremely good value for money. The book is first and foremost an "on the hoof guide" and is not a detailed investigation into ghosts and hauntings. It is fun and informative and the directions are very detailed but also, and this wasn't the case with several other guides I had purchased, accurate. Jones's directions across Hampstead Heath for example, were extremely easy to follow. In short this is a boook that will appeal both to the armchair walker and the avid wanderer.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent guide!!
Review: I went to London earlier this year and bought the book because it was exactly the type of thing I wanted to do during my trip. The book was terrific!! We did several of the walking tours, and each was right on the mark. We decided to do the Jack the Ripper walk on our own instead of with a tour group. Each direction was precise. We were extremely impressed!!! This book is a great idea for those visiting London!!