LONDON

Title: LONDON

Author: Vicky Shipton

Publishers: PENGUINS READERS

London: London, in the south-east of Britain, is one of the great cities of the world. With more than 1,500 square kilometres, it is the biggest city in Europe. It is also an old city, with a long and interesting story.

The River Thames: The river Thames runs through the centre of London from west to est. Its name comes from and old word for river.

The Story Begins: There were people in the area near the River Thames a long time before the Roman Julius Caesar arrived in Britain in 55 BC*. Ceasar and his men fought the people in the south of the country, and Ceasar said the famous words, ‘ Veni, vidi, vici’. (I came, I saw, I won) Some people think that Ceasar built the first bridge across the river.

London Theatre: London is one of the theatre capitals of the world. Most of the big theatres are in the ‘West End’. There are more than fifty theatres in this area. The Mousetrap, by Agatha Christie, started in the West End in 1952 and you can see the same play today!

Kings and Queens in London: The history of London is also the story of the country’s kings and queens. Some of the most famous buildings tell this story.                                                                                                

The Tower of London  

 In 1066 the new king, William I, built the White Tower in the city. Later kings and queens built more buildings round this tower.

Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace was a great house to the south-west of the city. It was Thomas Wolsey’s house but king Henry VIII liked it. Henry was angry with Wolsey. Wolsey gave the house to the king but it did not help him and he was taken to prison.

Buckingham Palace

No kings or queens built Buckingham Palace. It was a rich person’s house. Kings George III liked it and he bought it in 1761.

My Opinion: This book is interesting and explains a lot about London. I recommend this book to people of 12 or 13 who have a medium level of English.