[1] As the chapters are organised by said themes, David Baguley of the University of Durham stated that overall the "method of the book is as much thematic as chronological".

[2] The first chapter, 'Death of an Empire', shows the Napoleonic Wars and highlights military conflicts involving the city.

[3] Robert O'Bryne of the Irish Times wrote "here is a book which deserves nothing but praise for its readability, its erudition and its entertainment - an all-too-rare trio of qualities.

"[4] Philbeam wrote that the author's "strength lies in his imaginative reconstruction of places" and that the "skill" of successfully depicting an "atmosphere and detail of the life-style of the rich" is "The real charm of this book".

[1] She wished the interior illustrations were in colour and that the book covered the period of change in the city's architecture.