Samuel Johnson once said, "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life." Hundreds of photographs from archives around the world illustrate the history of this unique city, its architecture, its landmarks, its style, its flair - and of course, its indomitable inhabitants. London may be a sprawling, ever-growing metropolis; but through all of its historical ups and downs, the humor, character and fighting spirit of its people have always remained unchanged. This book celebrates them and their city . In addition to magnificent photographs (many of them previously unseen), London's story is also told through lively essays, countless quotes and references to films, music albums and literary works in which London played a role.

From Victorian London to the Swinging Sixties; from the Battle of Britain to the punk movement; from the Festival of Britain to the 2012 Olympic Games; from misty cobbled streets to the architectural extravaganzas of the Millennium; from rowdy pubs to discreet gentlemen's clubs; from royal weddings to raves; from East End charm to the wonders of Westminster; from Chelsea girls to Hoxton hipsters: page after page, London gets the visually stunning tribute it deserves.

With photographs by Slim Aarons, Eve Arnold, David Bailey, Cecil Beaton, Bill Brandt, Alvin Langdon Coburn, Anton Corbijn, Terence Donovan, Roger Fenton, Bert Hardy, Evelyn Hofer, Frank Horvat, Tony Ray-Jones, Nadav Kander, Roger Mayne, Linda McCartney, Don McCullin, Norman Parkinson , Martin Parr, Rankin, Lord Snowdon, William Henry Fox Talbot, Juergen Teller, Mario Testino , Wolfgang Tillmans and many, many others.