Product Description

From the eighteenth to the early twentieth century Liverpool was one of the most prosperous towns in Britain, and one of the greatest ports in the world; for many of its citizens it was also a place of extreme poverty. Economic success is reflected in a wealth of late Georgian housing, extravagant Victorian and Edwardian office blocks, proud civic buildings, suburban parks, churches, and the unique architecture and engineering of the docks. Alongside these monuments stand buildings associated with public health and housing reform, illustrating the other side of Liverpool's story. A frenzy of rebuilding in the 1960s was followed by a long period of decline, now giving way to a new construction boom. This guide book describes all the architecturally significant buildings in central Liverpool, and gives an account of the city's overall physical development. It includes some suburban areas of outstanding interest, and excursions to notable sites further out. Major buildings - such as the Town Hall, St George's Hall, and the two Cathedrals - are singled out for extended treatment, the streets of the business district are dealt with alphabetically, and the rest of the city.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #268467 in Books
• Published on: 2004-05-04
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 344 pages

Review
"A detailed, authoritative, and practical guide."--Listed Heritage (London)

Architects Journal
'It is a superb and erudite read, fluent and engrossing'

Institute of Historic Building Conservation
'...the book is a triumph'

Customer Reviews

Great Book
Gives a good write up on Liverpools buildings and also recommends a number of walks for you to attempt to see the buildings.

A guidebook with a difference
This is my second Pevsner guide, I also have the guide to Sheffield. Coming from Liverpool I wanted to learn more about the city of my childhood. This is another superb book that gives a real insight into the changing city landscape. The book is full of detailed information about the buildings and built landscape of Liverpool and how the city has changed over the years. There are lots of photographs, plans, engravings and maps. Highly recommended for getting to know more about the city of Liverpool.

The introduction charts the history of Liverpool from the 13th century through to the present day. Chapters then follow titled "Major Buildings", "The Docks", "City Centre", "Inner Districts" and "Excursions".

The "Docks" and "Inner Districts" chapter is a series of 10 walks around the city:
Walk 1: The South Docks: Albert Dock to Herculaneum Dock
Walk 2: The North Docks and the Dock Road
Walk 3: Church Street to Lime Street
Walk 4: Bold Street to Duke Street
Walk 5: University of Liverpool via Mount Pleasant
Walk 6: Georgian Residential Area
Walk 7: North of the Centre between the docks and Scotland Road
Walk 8: London Road to Everton
Walk 9: South of the Centre along Park Road
Walk 10: Prince's Park and Sefton Park

Each walk is richly detailed with a map showing the path of the walk and then lots of text about the buildings that surround you and plenty of illustrations and photographs. Just a quick read and I've already learnt a lot about buildings that I never really noticed and a lot about buildings that I already thought I knew about.

Recommended if you already live in Liverpool and want to learn more about the city and recommended if you are a visitor to Liverpool and want to do more than visit the obvious tourist attractions.