George Myers was one of the great Master Builders of the Victorian Age. Born in 'Hull in 1803, he gained renown as 'Pugin's Builder' and - from his workshops in Hull and then in London - directed a nationwide contracting business. Myers executed many of Pugin's buildings, such as cathedrals in Newcastle, Birmingham, Nottingham and Southwark and the Medieval Court for the Great Exhibition of 1851. In fact Myers undertook work for nearly 100 other architects. This included the original camp at Aldershot, military hospitals and the Staff College, Broadmoor Hospital and restoration work at the Guildhall, the Towers of London, Windsor Castle and extensive work for the Rothschilds. He died in London in 1875. This book, based on original research, provides a fascinating account of mid-19th century England and some of its most interesting figures. It contains hitherto unpublished drawings by Pugin.

Architecture in France in the Eighteenth Century Wend von Kalnein French architecture of the eighteenth century - which exhibited great technical ability and refined taste - influenced architectural style throughout Europe. This handsome book is a survey of the French architecture of the period. It begins with the origins of the 'style moderne' under the last years of Louis XIV, discusses the end of Rococo and the return to antiquity, and concludes with the Revolutionary architecture and the house of Madame Récamier. Kalnein describes the development of palace and hôtel architecture by the two great architects de Cotte and Boffrand, discussing such large urban projects as the reconstruction of Rennes and the Places Royales. He traces the return to antiquity (which began when the scholars of the Académie d'Architecture were sent to Rome), the revolutionary architecture with its grand, but never executed, projects, and the shift from neoclassicism to early romanticism. Kalnein also examines the decorative arts of the period, which became even more important than architecture in the Rococo period. Focusing on such architects as Boffrand, Gabriel, and Redoux, he shows how a study of their building decoration illuminates the evolution of 'style moderne,' the battle between Rococo and Neoclassicism, and the dissemination of French styles throughout Europe.

London. As seen through the eye of a unique artist who refuses to paint from photographs in the studio, instead painting every brush stroke, sometimes over many sittings, in the middle of London’s busy pavements under the gaze of the public eye. The book’s paintings take us on a journey into the city from its outskirts at Richmond, along the Thames past the bridges, Parliament and the London Eye to Tower Bridge. From here, we explore the ‘electric West End’ and ‘testosterone- driven City’. Peter’s passion for hustle and bustle attract him to areas such as Piccadilly Circus and Bank in the City. Not shy of actively engaging with the inhabitants of London as he paints, Peter shares some of his journal – recordings of conversations and chance meetings he has had. His deft skill at capturing perspective, light and movement is sure to delight art lovers, and lovers of London, wherever in the world they may be.