Review: Poppies Pomp and People by Christopher West

Title: Poppies Pomp and People 
Author: Christopher West
Format: Ebook
Publisher: The Choir Press
Publish Date: December 9, 2016
Source: PR

What's the Story?:

From Goodreads.com: "The Tower of London has fascinated people for centuries, but how much do we know about what happens there today? By tracing its comings and goings over a year, Poppies, Pomp and People gives a unique insight into the modern Tower: the ceremonies, the celebrations, the experience of living in a historic landmark, and all the people- visitors and staff- who make it work. Here you will also find a detailed account of Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red, the installation of 888246 ceramic poppies in the Tower's moat to mark the centenary of the First World War.

The Tower of London is a hugely important building, and this book celebrates its history, it continued existence and the work that is being done to preserve it for future generations."

My Two Cents:

 "Poppies Pomp and People" covers a year in the life of those who work at the Tower of London. It's gorgeous book filled with great pictures that give you insight into what it's like to work at the Tower of London. On my honeymoon, I had a opportunity to visit the Tower and was intrigued with its long history and how it has had many different functions through the years. The way that the people that work there were able to bring the history to life for me and many other tourists that visit. This book gives you a backstage peek!

This book doesn't necessarily focus on the history of the tower itself, it gives you a little more of a personal view of what today's work at the tower looks like. It is one of London's busiest tourist attractions and those that work there are charged with bringing history to life. The author draws on lots of detail and interviews with some of the key players that keep the Tower going. This is a very intimate look!

The book also covers the famous Poppies art exhibit that it happened a couple years ago and ordered in honor of the centennial anniversary of World War I. I'm sure you've seen pictures of the absolutely stunning poppies covering the tower. If you haven't seen pictures, do yourself a favor and Google the art exhibit. It's really phenomenal and something that sticks out in my mind. I love how the author was able to give me as a reader a little bit more appreciation of what went in to this wonderful exhibit!

This book was an interesting take on a wonderful historic site. I appreciated the different point of view!