Book excerpt: Originally published in 1875, this work details what life was like on the Upper Thames before the 20th century, the people who lived there and the trades they developed. It is a wonderful work for anyone interested in the river's history and is complete with beautiful illustrations that will make you want to go back in time and float along the Upper Thames yourself. The River Thames takes its name from the Middle English Temese, which is derived from the Celtic name for river. Originating at the Thames Head in Gloucestershire, it is the longest river in England, flowing a total length of 236 miles, out through the Thames Estuary and in to the North Sea. On its journey to open water it passes through the country's capital, London, where it is deep enough to be navigable for ships, thus allowing the city to become a major international trade port.