London and its genius loci

Book excerpt: London is a powerful and mysterious city – its spirit stands outside of time, certain places have influenced the behaviour of its citizens. Philipp Röttgers leads you to these places. Follow him into the heart of darkness, into the area of Jack the Ripper, to the churches of Nicholas Hawksmoor, along the routes of "From Hell". Meet William Blake and walk along "Ripper Street". Discover London's ›genius loci‹, its ›spirit of place‹. This alternative travel guide has two sides: A scientific trip through the depiction of London's ›genius loci‹ in literature by authors such as Iain Sinclair, Alan Moore, Ben Aaronovitch, Neil Gaiman and Peter Ackroyd. And the tour stories, that lead you to the historical ›genius loci‹. Connect places, become the flaneur, the walker, the wanderer. This book approaches London the only two ways, according to Röttgers, that it can be experienced properly: through literature and through walking.