THE PHOENIX combines the story of St Paul's with the lives of the men who crafted the modern city out of the ashes of the great fire Although there have been individual biographies of Wren and Hooke, there has not been a book that looks at how they acted as part of a generation of 'Civil War Children', and how they collectively impacted upon the city 2008was the 300th anniversary of the completion of St Paul's 'THE PHOENIX is a truly inspiring story of human ingenuity and persistence in the face of disaster - and of how the future can be built out of the rubble of the past. On top of all that, it's hard to imagine a better introduction to the politics and culture of this glorious period in English history' Ross King 'The political obstacles... and the social detail of modern London on the make are consistently fascinating' RA Arts Magazine 'A wonderfully rich and informative book. To present deep scholarship so accessibly and with such fluency is a rare achievement' Tom Holland 'His book is a tour de force of biography, history, politics, philosophy and experimental science' Economist 'In a vivid and engaging narrative, rich in detail' BBC History Magazine

"This comprehensive and absorbing study is not just a history of the new St Paul's because Mr Hollis sees the rebuilding as a symbol of the rebirth of London and the birth of modern city life." CONTEMPORARY REVIEW 'This ambitious and thought-provoking study provides the general reader with a valuable introduction to seventeenth century life and thought.' LONDON SOCIETY JOURNAL 'for those who revel in historic detai, this is a must' BIG ISSUE IN THE NORTH

Leo Hollis was educated at Stonyhurst College and read history at UEA. He is the author of books on London and Paris, and works in publishing. He lives with his wife and children in London.