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Nigel H. Jones
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Tower: An Epic History of the Tower of London Paperback – October 15, 2013

by Nigel Jones (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 162 ratings
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A dazzling history of the Tower of London, one of the world's busiest tourist attractions, and the people who populated it.

Castle, royal palace, prison, torture chamber, execution site, zoo, mint, home to the crown jewels, armory, record office, observatory, and the most visited tourist attraction in the UK: The Tower of London has been all these things and more. No building in Britain has been more intimately involved in the island's story than this mighty, brooding stronghold in the very heart of the capital, a place which has stood at the epicenter of dramatic, bloody and frequently cruel events for almost a thousand years.

Now historian Nigel Jones sets this dramatic story firmly in the context of national―and international―events. In a gripping account drawn from primary sources and lavishly illustrated with sixteen pages of stunning photographs, he captures the Tower in its many changing moods and its many diverse functions.

Here, for the first time, is a thematic portrayal of the Tower of london not just as an ancient structure, but as a living symbol of the nation of Great Britain.

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  1. Print length
    480 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    October 15, 2013
  4. Dimensions
    5.5 x 1.07 x 8.5 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    1250038405
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1250038401
  7. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Heads roll throughout Jones' pages, frequently under the dynasty that endowed the Tower with its most sinister associations, the Tudors. . . . This is popular history well arranged and well written.” ―Booklist

“Historian and journalist Jones enlightens and delights in this history of the London Tower. A historian's history that deserves pride of place in every library.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“A marvelous, authoritative, and entertaining history of England, tightly focused and richly detailed.” ―Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Nigel Jones is a historian, journalist, and biographer, covering subjects ranging from Nazi Germany to the lives of British writers.  He has written for the Cambridge Evening News, the Press Association News Agency, and has been an editor on BBC and independent radio, as well as for History Today and BBC History magazines. He is the author of Tower: An Epic History of the Tower of London.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin's Griffin; Reprint edition (October 15, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 480 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1250038405
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250038401
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.34 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1.07 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 162 ratings

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Nigel H. Jones

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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
162 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book fascinating and informative, full of details and colorful personal stories. They describe it as a great, epic read.

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InterestReadability
20 customers mention "Interest"20 positive0 negative

Customers find the book fascinating, informative, and full of anecdotes. They say it's a great introduction to this aspect of British history.

"...Chock full of historical facts. Wish I could make the trip!!!" Read more

"This book is a fascinating view of how and why the Tower of London was built...." Read more

"Tower: An Epic History of the Tower of London was loaded interesting facts. The only thing missing was MAPS & DIAGRAMS of the Tower...." Read more

"Epic book indeed. Sometimes a tough read. Very informative, Nigel Jones was able to make 1100 years of Tower history readable. Good job.!" Read more

15 customers mention "Readability"15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book great, fascinating, and epic. They say it covers the full gamut of the Tower's amazing history. Readers also appreciate the author's carefully researched and well-crafted story.

"...'s "London: A Biography" and this one was just as entertaining and captivating for me...." Read more

"A great book to read especially if you are planning a trip to England. Chock full of historical facts. Wish I could make the trip!!!" Read more

"...Nigel Jones has carefully researched and crafted a story so well-written that it is hard to put this book down!" Read more

"Epic book indeed. Sometimes a tough read. Very informative, Nigel Jones was able to make 1100 years of Tower history readable. Good job.!" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

The Traveler
5.0 out of 5 stars Great for research, great for reading too!
Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2017
Verified Purchase
I bought this book as part of the research for a novel I'm writing. It filled the bill perfectly in that regard, but I was enthralled by the story Nigel Jones wove. Many times when I'm looking for specific information, I skip from place to place, but I have to admit I read this one cover to cover and enjoyed every minute.
Okay, I'll agree with other reviewers that it had a lot of names and a lot of dates, but as a history buff and a great lover of London, I found it very interesting. After all, a lot of important people were imprisoned in the Tower and many of those were executed there. I enjoyed Inwood's "A History of London" and Ackroyd's "London: A Biography" and this one was just as entertaining and captivating for me.
There's a lot of British history in here, and how could a book about the tower not be filled with it? I highly recommend the book.
8 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Great book to read especially if you plan to go to England!
Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2016
Verified Purchase
A great book to read especially if you are planning a trip to England. Chock full of historical facts. Wish I could make the trip!!!
One person found this helpful
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grablazers
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Quality Book! Lives up to the description
Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2024
Verified Purchase
I experienced a great transaction with LKF Booksellers! Sometimes with other sellers, a book is listed as Used, Like New but that is not what you get. The book I ordered was used, but very easily could have been new! Great experience and shipping was quicker than expected! Also appreciated the personalized thank you!
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Karen Koon
5.0 out of 5 stars From zoo to armory to death row, the Tower of London has it all!
Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2014
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This book is a fascinating view of how and why the Tower of London was built. From the amusement of Kings who wished to collect exotic animals, including an elephant...to the tradition of kings who waited to ride to Westminster Abbey for the coronation ceremony. The tower was to become the execution chamber for two of King Henry VIII wives. Nigel Jones has carefully researched and crafted a story so well-written that it is hard to put this book down!
3 people found this helpful
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t4987sd
3.0 out of 5 stars Good book that is missing some critical information
Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2013
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Tower: An Epic History of the Tower of London was loaded interesting facts. The only thing missing was MAPS & DIAGRAMS of the Tower. Jones discusses various buildings, wall and courtyards but fails to provide maps and diagrams of the locations. Instead he provides some pretty lame photos that are actually useless. Jones could have made the book much greater with just a view maps and diagrams, an easy remedy.
11 people found this helpful
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Lynn Covey
4.0 out of 5 stars Epic Tower of London
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2015
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Epic book indeed. Sometimes a tough read. Very informative, Nigel Jones was able to make 1100 years of Tower history readable. Good job.!
2 people found this helpful
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Andrea hartung
5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative!
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2022
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Nice book and great price! Very informative!
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Book fanatic
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2013
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First of all, let me start out with the fact that I am not a student of British history-my strength is in United States History; however, having said that, I really enjoyed reading Tower. It was a relatively fast read with interesting stories regarding the history of the Tower. I found the book a great introduction to this aspect of Britisih history and would highly recommend it.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Ian2463
5.0 out of 5 stars AN EPIC HISTORY INDEED!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 15, 2012
Verified Purchase
History has always been a favourite subject of mine,since my school days.Her Majesty's Royal Palace And Fortress The Tower Of London,in particular,has always fascinated me. It is my favourite historical site and I have been there more times than I can remember. I have accumulated several books on the Tower,each one a great read. This one by Nigel Jones is certainly the most comprehensive work I have read on the subject.The history of the Tower Of London is the history of England and this is brought to life in this compelling volume. Beginning with the battle of Hastings and the Norman Conquest in 1066,the bloody and eventful history of this place is told in great detail. The Tower was central to the events of the Peasants Revolt in 1381 and the Wars Of The Roses in the 15th century,to name but two. In its 900+ year history it has been a royal palace,fortress,arsenal,record office and has been the home of the royal mint and royal menagerie. It has performed many functions over the years,but it's most famous,or rather infamous role has been that of state prison and place of torture. The events of the 16th and 17th centuries filled the Tower with prisoners,many of whom never saw the outside world again.The block and axe on Tower Green or Tower Hill would claim many victims.Several prisoners however,did manage to escape and a whole chapter tells the fascinating stories of those who succeeded,even if only briefly,in getting away. Brave men and women indeed! There are also chapters on the events of the Restoration of the monarchy from 1660,the Tower's role in the Civil Wars of the 1640s,Dukes and Lords and The Tower At War. Enhanced by several black and white illustrations and photographs,Nigel Jones has produced a fascinating book and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I have no hesitation in recommending this to anyone who has an interest in this World Heritage Site and English history in general.If you like reading history books,I suggest you add this one to your collection.Superb!
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Kenneth Ludlow
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in Canada on November 18, 2017
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A constructive addition to the already large body of work on the subject.
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Jonathan
4.0 out of 5 stars A well written book that will give you in depth ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 16, 2018
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A well written book that will give you in depth knowledge of many topics including the tower of london from the dates of 800 AD to the 21st century, by Nigel Jones.
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ANNE MURRAY
5.0 out of 5 stars Recommend
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 1, 2021
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Interesting book. Looking forward to visiting in person as I've never been
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Michael Parsons (Cardiff, UK)
3.0 out of 5 stars Sort it out, please
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 10, 2012
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This is an irritating book, in that it should be much better than it is. Nigel Jones is a good writer who has assembled many interesting facts, and who can create deft pen-portraits of many individuals. I think he relies too much on Tudor accounts of the Richard III affair - (would he regard Arthur Scargill as an impeccable and unbiased source on Margaret Thatcher, I wonder?) - and some of the conclusions he draws may be wrong (Pepys may not have been currying favour by escorting his superior's wife to the Tower - they were after all cousins) but are at least arguable.

Unfortunately there are far too many errors in this book as currently presented; for example, Victoria ascended the throne in 1837, not 1838, the date at one point switches from 1674 to 1664, 1513 should obviously be 1613 (in the Overbury section) and the King in 1436 was Henry VI, not Henry V. Perhaps worst of all, the book shows a complete lack of understanding of the peerage. Duke and Earl are not synonymous, neither are Duchess and Countess. Characters change their name and rank frequently; for example, Henry Grey, Duke of Suffolk, suddenly becomes Earl of Suffolk, his daughter Catherine becomes Katherine before reverting to Catherine, and Margaret Plantagenet Pole, niece of Edward IV and Richard III, is twice called Duchess of Salisbury and twice called by her real title, Countess of Salisbury.

These errors cannot but detract from this book; if you know some things you're being told are wrong, how can you believe others? I'd urge Nigel Jones to correct this book before the paperback edition and make it as good as it deserves to be.
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