Book excerpt: Once an ancient Surrey market town, Kingston-upon-Thames is now a thriving suburb of Southwest London, which still boasts an impressive market, and an extensive range of shops, restaurants and visitor attractions. Kingston-upon-Thames Then & Now compares historical images of the area with modern photographs of the same viewpoints today. We can see just how much has changed, and also what has survived the threats of war, demolition and redevelopment. A fascinating peak into the rich history of Kingston-upon-Thames, this book should be equally absorbing for those who know and love the area, and for those who love British history.