Low Life

The classic social history of corruption and vice in nineteenth-century NYC: “A cacophonous poem of democracy and greed, like the streets of New York themselves” (John Vernon, Los Angeles Times Book Review). Lucy Sante’s Low Life is a portrait of America’s greatest city, the riotous and anarchic breeding ground of modernity. This is not the familiar saga of mansions, avenues, and robber barons, but the messy, turbulent, often murderous story of the city’s slums; the teeming streets—scene of innumerable cons and crimes whose cramped and overcrowded housing is still a prominent feature of the cityscape. Low Life voyages through Manhattan from four different directions. Part One examines the actual topography of Manhattan from 1840 to 1919; Part Two, the era’s opportunities for vice and entertainment—theaters and saloons, opium and cocaine dens, gambling and prostitution; Part Three investigates the forces of law and order which did and didn’t work to contain the illegalities; Part Four counterposes the city’s tides of revolt and idealism against the city as it actually was. Low Life is one of the most provocative books about urban life ever written—an evocation of the mythology of the quintessential modern metropolis, which has much to say not only about New York’s past but about the present and future of all cities.

If you are living with bipolar illness or have a family member with the illness, this book may prove to be of some help. Whilst living with a mental health condition can be extremely difficult it can be a great teacher. By the end of the book you will realise that no mental illness defines you as a person. You're on the cusp of a life worth living, it's just a matter of making the next right step.

Jeremy Clarke made his girlfriend pregnant, resigned from his job as a refuse collector, resigned his church membership, sold his house, went to the Democratic Republic of Congo, then came back altered. Now the author of the 'Low Life' column in the Spectater, Clarke tells his story.

Jeremy Clarke made his girlfriend pregnant, resigned from his job as a refuse collector, resigned his church membership, sold his house, went to the Democratic Republic of Congo, then came back altered. Now the author of the 'Low Life' column in the Spectator, Clarke tells his story.

Described as the Tony Hancock of journalism, for forty years Bernard wrote only about himself and the failures of his life – with women, drink, doctors, horses – which have become legendary. Low Life is an irresistible collection of the best of Bernard's celebrated autobiographical contributions to The Spectator, once described as 'a suicide note in weekly instalments'. Previously published in two volumes entitled Low Life: A Kind of Autobiography and Reach for the Ground, these books are now available in a single volume containing all his derisive reflections on life. Antiauthoritarian, grumpy, charming, politically incorrect, funny, drunk and always mischievous, Bernard could usually be found at the Coach and Horses pub on London’s Greek street, a lit cigarette in his mouth and a drink in hand. He was joined by famous friends including Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud, Graham Green, Peter O’Toole, Ian Fleming and many others and their conversations – as well as with whomever was tending bar at the time – served as the basis for his writing. There were in fact times when he was too drunk to write, hence the famous "unwell" notice that went next to the large, hastily-sketched cartoon that filled its space in the magazine.

Two O levels. Three convictions for smash and grab in off licenses. Two for drunk driving. One for possession of amphetamine sulphate. General labouring and factory work. Attended charismatic Baptist church. Made girlfriend pregnant. Resigned from job as refuse collector, resigned church membership, returned library books, sold house, went to the Democratic Republic of Congo, then known as Zaire. Came back altered. Conscious decision to join bourgeoisie. Night classes for a year in Torquay, then three at School of Oriental and African Studies in London and the Institute of Kiswahili, Zanzibar. Reviewed book by the late, great Dr Brian Plummer on ferret husbandry for University College London student literary magazine. Taken on by legendary editor Dr Karl Miller as his latest great white hope . Book deal. Fifty grand advance. Spent advance. Failed to write book. Now, author of the Low Life column in the Spectator. 53 years old and a grandfather. Unmarried. Currently coughing and sneezing in a remote cottage on Dartmoor. Meet Jeremy Clark...

Bound to captivate the many fans of the motion picture Paris Is Burning, Woodlawn's autobiography is a walk on the wild side with Andy Warhol's last superstar and the avant-garde community of the 1960s and '70s. At the age of 16, Harold became Holly Woodlawn and skyrocketed to fame as a superstar in Warhol's movie Trash. "This is must reading".--Harvey Fierstein. Photographs.