Restoration London

Everyday Life in the 1660s

By: Liza Picard

Narrated by: Sean Barrett

From poverty to pets, from medicine to magic, from slang to sex, from wallpaper to women's rights. A glorious portrait of life in London from 1660-1670 by the bestselling author of ELIZABETH'S LONDON. Making use of every possible contemporary source - diaries, memoirs, advice books, government papers, almanacs, even the Register of Patents - Liza Picard presents an enthralling picture of how life in London was really lived in the 1600s: the houses and streets, gardens and parks, cooking, clothes and jewellery, cosmetics, hairdressing, housework, laundry and shopping, medicine and dentistry, sex, education, hobbies, etiquette, law and crime, religion and popular beliefs.

©2011 Liza Picard (P)2011 Orion Audio

Critic reviews

"A beautifully produced reference work" ( Rose Tremain, Financial Times)

Fascinating

For those of us who are not terribly well versed in Restoration social history, this is wonderful. Without pictures, Liza Picard paints a multi-dimensional portrait of our ancestors, both rich and poor. What's more, she does it with a lively, humorous tone, very ably conveyed by Sean Barrett.
I understand that the author began writing history books only when she had retired from a career in Law. She was born in 1927. Her writing is extraordinarily humane and interesting - and she is evidently tolerant and fond of her subject. I am immensely grateful for this book - and look forward very much to the others.

Another excellent book from Liza

Another wonderful history from the same author. Super interesting and very specific to the period named, rather than just general information. I really enjoyed it. Reading the performances of Liza's books can be hit and miss, but this one is excellent.