“Why is walking so full of woe?”
Of Walking in Ice (1978)
Last Thursday, 24th October, saw the launch of my text, The Black Path, as part of the London Adventures series at The Broadway Bookshop published by Three Imposters. It was a perfect place for the launch sat right on the course of the Black Path in Broadway Market, Hackney. I’d walked this ancient drovers path back in January for a YouTube video, and writing this publication gave me an opportunity to dig deeper in the rich history of this storied thoroughfare that runs from Walthamstow to Shoreditch, and then along Old Street to Smithfield.
You can buy The Black Path here directly from Three Imposters
“Fever dreams empty the streets and let the old ghosts out.”
Iain Sinclair, Pariah Genius
‘The Unknown Trail’
‘Border, By-ways and Lothian Lore’
‘In Quest of Peril’
Some of the enticing titles embossed on old cloth spines on the South Bank book market outside the BFI. Browsing these tables brings back great memories of my NFT days – book collecting chats back in the box office, trawling for treasure and knowledge. The excitement of the hunt. My hasty steps ground to a halt and I’m drawn into another dimension of time.
“With “Welcome to New London,” Rogers has not only penned a compelling read but also seamlessly linked it to his digital journey. The book beautifully marks another milestone in Rogers’ ongoing odyssey through topographical and psychogeographical terrains, captivating the spirit of the modern urban flâneur — an urban shaman who traverses the liminal spaces of a city brimming with concealed secrets, apparent only to those with discerning eyes to perceive them.”
Massively chuffed with this glowing review by Marco Visconti – read the whole article here
Today sees the official publication of my new book, Welcome to New London – journeys and encounters in the post-Olympic city.
When I’d started writing in the summer of 2013 the aim had been relatively simple: to document a new London that was emerging from the ashes of the Olympic Games. My previous book, This Other London had been inspired by topographical writers of the early twentieth century who’d explored the new London given birth by the expansion of the railways and had seen suburbs sprout in the fields around the city. My walks in overlooked London were a rediscovery of their territory. So now I felt I had a duty to do the same in this century as nascent villages and suburbs were once again spawning across the capital.
Writing in 1947, Harold P. Clunn observed in London Marches On: ‘To produce a book on London absolutely up-to-date, even though no new buildings were erected for several years, is uncommonly like attempting to emulate the feat of Joshua who commanded the sun to stand still’. And so that has been the case.
You can read the whole introduction on 3:AM magazine.
Here are some links to places where you can buy Welcome to New London and you can also order through your local bookshop.
Newham Bookshop
Wanstead Bookshop
Foyles
Waterstones
Blackwells
The Bookseller Crow
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Booktopia (Aus)
The Lost Byway (signed) – note only UK postage included for signed copies (contact for details of postage and signed copies in other territories)
I’ll be signing books at Phlox in Leyton on Friday 3rd November 7pm
It was a real pleasure to have an onstage conversation with Tim Burrows on Friday evening, about his recently published book, The Invention of Essex. The event was part of the Wanstead Book Festival organised by Giles Wilson as part of the Wanstead Fringe Festival – a three week celebration of arts and culture that featured around 120 events.
Tim’s book takes beneath the veneer of TOWIE and all the litany of stereotypes that have been foisted upon this complex county that seems to been a bellwether location for how the nation feels about itself. The book is also a fascinating exploration of the topography of Essex, the ‘maligned marshes’ and the deadly Essex agues.
It was also the first public appearance of my new book Welcome to New London – journeys and encounters in the post-Olympic city. I believe Wanstead Bookshop has a few copies left over from last night and Newham Bookshop should have some in stock from Monday.
The book is also available to pre-order on Amazon and from other booksellers using the ISBN: 9781739539207