East End Walk following W.G Sebald's Austerlitz (4K)

A walk through the East End of London tracing the route of one of the walks undertaken by characters in W.G Sebald's celebrated novel Austerlitz. I'm joined by artist Bob and Roberta Smith (watch my documentary about Bob here • Make Your Own Damn Art... .
The route was provided by Iain Sinclair who walked these streets with the poet Stephen Watts who guided Sebald on his East End walks from Liverpool Street Station to Alderney Road in Stepney. An account of this walk can be found in Iain Sinclair's book The Last London amzn.to/36qNboz (affiliate link).
The key locations are:
- The Great Eastern Hotel, Liverpool Street Station, Toynbee Hall, Greatorex Street, Brady Street Jewish Cemetery, Alderney Road, Tower Hamlets Cemetery, St. Clement's Hospital (site of).
Austerlitz by W.G Sebald is highly recommended
Amazon affiliate link amzn.to/2TVxS4F
Foyles: foyles.co.uk/witem/biography/...
Waterstones: www.waterstones.com/book/aust...
The Iain Sinclair footage was shot on a walk from Haggerston to Shadwell for our London Overground documentary which you can watch here • Make Your Own Damn Art...
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Backpack: Berghaus TwentyFourSeven 30 litre rucksack
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Waterproof jacket: The North Face Men's Sangro Jacket
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________________________________________________________________________
Music used in this video:
Lone Harvest by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution licence (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/
Pachabelly
Huma-Huma
Gymnopedie No 1 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/
Breathing Planet
Doug Maxwell
Bellissimo
Doug Maxwell
The Throne
Silent Partner
Silence for a Film
ann annie
Gymnopedie No 2 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/
Meeting Again
Emily A. Sprague

[@jeffcravello3910]

Thank you, John, especially for these walks in the footsteps of W. G. Sebald and his texts. I teach composition to college students in Southern California, and we focus on Sebald,; however, none of my students have seen East Anglia (The Rings of Saturn) or the minute details of London (Austerlitz). Your walking videos are a very helpful touchstone for them. Also, I ask them to write a Sebaldian style meta-narrative, based on larger ruminations that result from a real walk in suburban Los Angeles. In this regard, all of your videos are an inspiration to my students that they can walk ordinary steps and find extraordinary connections.

[@warlockofwordsreturnsrb4358]

That Hawksmoor church has a part to play in Moore & Campbell's great graphic novel, From Hell.

[@TfL1901]

I was listening to this video whilst preparing for bed last night. Today I was wandering round and exploring Hampstead, and I walked into a small second hand bookshop. Imagine, my eyes fell upon this very book! I felt it must be a sign that I should buy it, so I did! Thank you!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Fantastic

[@doodle3161]

The best walking channel on KZbin! Very informative & atmospheric. And no banging on about liking and subscribing!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Audrey

[@LauraAgustinNA]

Today at Liverpool Street Station, which I often pass through, I went into WH Smith and Starbuck's, which I never had before. What a revelation those walls and ceilings are, thank you for pointing them out to me.

[@michaellabram5980]

Magical area...Magical book.

[@mykolakanyuk]

I worked in that Building (ex royal bank of Scotland) next door to Liverpool street station on Bishopsgate when I lived in Lonodon. Thank you very much John, for showing me London I remember.

[@lesgoody3141]

Enthralling! Yet another masterpiece. Well done John!

[@markames3688]

Okay okay okay I get it Sebald needs to be read. Added to list. Bob and Roberta Smith is always a joy. Well done.

[@markames3688]

So, finished Austerlitz - wow. Truly powerful subject matter handled masterfully. This video is responsible, thanks.

[@bigguy64]

Another fascinating walk. I'm feeling a re-read of Austerlitz coming on. Thanks to you and Bob and Roberta.

[@lesliegprice6652]

Great walk Guys a fascinating area and history as usual with East London,entwined with the Jewish Community and Refugees from European Conflict,what a rich heritage, thank you.....

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Glad you enjoyed it Leslie

[@got1t213]

The homeless centre (4:39) used to be known as Providence Row Refuge Centre. Jack the Ripper's last victim is said to have at one time stayed there and worked there, too. She lived opposite it in the now demolished Dorset Street where she was found murdered. James Mason interviewed some men in the canteen and asked them what they thought of it, in the film The London Nobody Knows. It also featured in an episode of the Chinese Detective which was shot entirely on location and has interior shots here, too. It is now used solely for the LSE postgraduate students.

[@tomgirldouble3249]

Wow, really enjoyed. Bob is a lovely man, thank you both for some wonderful insights. 😀

[@paulbrown9150]

Revelatory - I was a trainee psychiatrist at St Clements Hospital in the 1970s. If there were time travel, I would love to revisit my old haunts with the knowledge you have so beautifully imparted,

[@tomdearie2279]

Love this book and lived in Mile End myself so seeing you do a video on this is like worlds colliding. Great work John

[@vwright1021]

Another gem of a walk. 'Rings of Saturn' is favourite book of mine. Following W.G. Sebald's fatal aneurysm I wrote to his family to convey my condolences and praise for his work. His wife wrote back to say thankyou and to express what he mean't to them. Her reply was unexpected ...and this letter is treasured.

[@shikunbinui]

Brilliant, thanks so much for these wonderful walks. Your walks in the east end tell the story of my family. Thank you so much.

[@mariana4059]

Brilliant walk - I very much enjoyed it - especially since having read Austerlitz last year.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Mariana and also for your insightful comments on my blog

[@ayteeattam]

What a beautiful film! Wonderful!

[@suecondon1685]

Oh god, I Iove this book so much, he was such a wonderful writer. This has brightened my sleepless night. ❤

[@timbuthfer901]

Your walks get more interesting each week, so much history, references and connotations. You were very near middlesex Street or petticoat Lane. There is a wonderful film called a kid for two farthings set in the market.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Tim - ah, yes that's an iconic film of that area, good shout

[@voxley19]

Absolutely fascinating.

[@williamryan6162]

simply brilliant

[@glenndrewett3735]

A most interesting video, reminds me when I used to walk around most of the places mentioned, as I worked At the old city poly in Jewry St. Aldgate fo many years from 1972 and liked to explore the area in my lunch breaks, often looking for old abandoned railways, usually goods lines, of which there were many still to be seenin those days, would probably make an interesting walk today to how much still remains.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

That was a great period to explore that area, same era as Iain Sinclair started wondering there. I was at City Poly from 1989 - very fond memories, Jewry St. was a fascinating building

[@glenndrewett3735]

I was at City Poly from 1972 till about 1991 when the Chemistry dept. moved to Thames poly which became Greenwich Univercity, I transfered to the teacher traing dept at Avery Hill Campus retiring in 2003, When I wasd at City Poly I used to run a series off talks on industrial Archeology on behalf of Glias, Wonder if ever came to any of them. Which dept were you at in City Poly

[@pauljones5066]

Phenomenal video John. There is something Sebaldian about everything you do in the sense that lost spaces and places haunt us forever and occur and reoccur in our lives, so many thanks

[@katcankan7129]

A very interesting walk John & guest.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Kat - check out the documentary I made about Bob - it's here on KZbin - Make Your Own Damn Art

[@katcankan7129]

@@JohnRogersWalks Will do,thanl you

[@darrenscaysbrook6038]

This was so good. Thanks so much.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks for watching Darren

[@patricknorton5788]

Wonderful video. I have never been to the UK, but my brother has been many times. A couple of years ago, I came across Sebald and his book Austerlitz as an audiobook from my local library. I was absolutely enchanted with it (maybe the wrong term, considering some of the topics covered) and went to get a hard copy to send to my brother. It turned out that he was already a fan of Sebald, and the only book of Sebald's that he hadn't read was Austerlitz. A nice bit of luck. Since then, I have read/listened to several others, and gotten a paperback copy of Austerlitz for myself. Apparently the photographs in the paperback are too high-resolution, and that the author intended that they be quite grainy, as was done in the hardback editions. I wish he had lived longer.

[@humble4533]

-Thank you John for a most interesing video and unususal subject for a walk which uncovers an areas history that I new very little about. I appreciate your films very mich and look forward to the next

[@daveconyard8946]

Thanks john what a great production keep safe Dave.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Cheers Dave

[@drhowslounge]

Metzkah...Pete Townshend...the WHO... Oranges and Lemons and the bells of St Clement. A Great East End Walk. Indeed.

[@johnho2006]

A great pairing of two enjoyable characters, you both made it a pleasure to watch , and as always an interesting story line.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks John

[@4thEyeVision]

What a Great Walk Thanks John

[@markgould7743]

I love Sebald and always think of him when cycling down Alderney Rd. Thanks for an entertaining tramp around my manor John.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

My pleasure Mark - it was a really illuminating experience for us

[@mikebarclay7682]

Thank you so much John and Bob for helping me understand what has fascinated and confused me for so many years. It started with picking up a copy of Austerlitz at Heathrow . The book fascinated me: I couldn't decide whether it was a text book, history, autobiography or simply a great novel. When I returned to London I decided I wanted to resolve these issues and especially why he wrote about the East London I know so well. I contacted University of East Anglia only to be told that WGS had recently died in a car crash. So the book went onto the shelves (later joined by 'Rings of Saturn', 'The Emigrants' and 'A Place in the Country' ) and I mostly forgot about it until very recently when I bought a copy of 'Speak, Silence, in search of W.G.Sebald' by Carole Angier, which referred me to a number of KZbin items on WGS and thus your video. So thanks again John and Bob for throwing light on the mystery.

[@tomchurch3699]

Inspiring insight as ever John. First class, thank you.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Cheers Tom

[@CaroleMora22]

Excellent! Thank you for doing these walks.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Carole

[@jeanettemac6214]

Loved this.Thank you for taking us with you.

[@rupertferguson9673]

Some interesting anecdotes on Sebald there John. On the Sincliar front, although the versions of his original sketch map from the 1974 Albion Village edition of 'Lud Heat' and the Luzac press facsimile edition that succeeded it, in the immediate aftermath of the publication of Ackroyd's 'Hawksmoor', are suggestive of an alignment between St. George's Bloomsbury and Christchurch Spitalfields which runs through the Old Bethlehem Hospital, the actual alignment on cartographer's maps appears to pass through a different part of the station to the one where you appear to be standing in the video when you are filming the plaque with the reference to Bedlam at the start. A copy of Sincliar's map appears on this post from 'The Lost Byway' blog, but the hand written labels along the dotted alignment represented here, of which Old Bethlehem Hospital is just one, are, unfortunately, too blurred to view: thelostbyway.com/2017/09/alan-moore-iain-sinclair-london-mythologies-power-place.html And, I am not sure if the latest updated editions of the tract, one of which is reviewed at the link below, contain the original sketch map referred to here, unfortunately, as I have only read it in the original: skylightpress.wordpress.com/2012/06/04/lud-heat-a-book-of-the-dead-hamlets-by-iain-sinclair/ What is significant though is that the alignment that Sincliar suggests appears to run right the way through the old Smithfield, and close to, if not actually through, the very site where Wat Tyler, leader of the Peasants Revolt, was killed by Sir William Walworth, thus confirming the 'Place of Sacrifice' theory first expounded in 'Lud Heat' and picked up and developed further in 'Hawksmoor'. Another interesting anecdote, which is of direct relevance to the 'Hawksmoor' theory, is that there are two masonic temples inside the old Great Eastern Hotel, which appeared to have remained hidden until comparatively recently! This blog post appears to have escaped most people's notice, just like the temples did until the building was eventually sold off a few years back! knowyourlondon.wordpress.com/2015/03/11/great-eastern-hotel/

[@tayonacummings]

And without fail another illuminating video about a part east London in which I frequented as child and adult and didn't have a clue about any this. I may have mentioned before but you should take walk around the Hackney Wick/Trowbridge est area and see what's happening and whats planned for such a previously important industrial area to London. Thanks John.

[@davidhallard7427]

Lovely film John.

[@stevegee7593]

John did you miss the statue/monument to the children of the kinder transport in Liverpool St. Also where what was the Broad St. Station in Liverpool Street they found the burial grounds for the hospital. When I had just started work around the area 1965. I was walking up artillery lane I saw a guy making coffins. Many years later I had a job in the same building which was now offices, I was so tempted to tell them.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Ah we did miss that Steve - I only realised the next day

[@shane19959]

A delight ! I am very much enjoying the walks that you undertake and the resulting videos. Thank you.

[@drhowslounge]

Valentines House and its recent Occupants. Definitely worth a look if you're ever back in Ilford way. The Chapel too. I learned a lot from your earlier video about Ilford Chapel. Thx John.

[@stewartconacher6552]

Thanks for this John.A very informative and interesting videoWhen you mentioned that Sebalt went on walks through the night I thought just like Dickens and other fine writers such as R.L.Stevenson.Really enjoyed Bobs contributions and Iains of course.

[@geoffgeorge3685]

A lovely discovery!

[@morriganwitch]

London’s energy lines are used to absorbing change and disruption . It adapts however cross rail is a big one xxx

[@herculesvinegar1580]

A great film john! I recently moved to Warsaw from Bow in the east End so this felt very apt. I Have walked this route many times so was a real joy to do so again if only from my desk! Love your work.

[@chrismccartney8668]

Superb...

[@colinmumford6843]

Interesting video John, it was good to see parts of east London I’m not too familiar with, or at least haven’t seen for many many years.

[@johnplynch4866]

Fantastic as usual John.I knew Jules Wright (R.I.P) one time proprietor of the long gone Wapping Project.She put on an photographic exhibition based around "Austerlitz" which was very interesting.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks John - I remember you mentioning the Wapping Project sounds like a great idea for an exhibition - they did something similar for Rings of Saturn in Norwich last year

[@chrismccartney8668]

Enjoyed Bob's observations..

[@carlbradley5260]

Thank you both. Truly poignant. Many thanks, Carl.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Carl

[@scottmcneil1150]

that was fantastic, really fascinating subject matter. excellent, I'll pursue those books with interest. thanks John

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Scott - hope you enjoy the books - Vertigo by Sebald is also great

[@scottmcneil1150]

John Rogers thanks John, I cant believe I’ve never heard of Iain Sinclair , picking up some of his work too. I’ll need to source your written work also.

[@Mouxbar]

Some fantastic architecture here John. I walked the Liverpool Street area a couple of years ago and visited a few Ripper pubs, fascinating area. Dwarfed by the city next door yet vibrant and alive and still retains much of the character of old. (PS, Brompton Cemetery is unmissable if you are thinking of doing any of the big seven.)

[@DaraM73]

As a fan of Sebald, The Rings Of Saturn being a personal favourite, I absolutely love this film. You even mention another fav, Robinson in Space! Cheers, John.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

my pleasure Dara - glad you enjoyed it

[@julieblackstock8650]

I love this book trail idea, I think you could run with it

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Julie - it's a lot of fun, I used to do a radio show where we did it with old walking guides

[@Ben_Mdws]

Reading Austerlitz now John, after watching your video. Enjoyed Rings of Saturn many years ago and don’t know why it’s taken me so long to get round to reading more of his work.

[@orionfoote2890]

That was quite engrossing, what a fantastic walk and very interesting company - I’m currently reading The Rings of Saturn, which is what brought me here. I’ll check out your other videos too 👍🏻

[@markmeechan1671]

Wonderful! A great escapade with fine company in Bob and Roberta Smith (& his eye-catching jacket). These walks often reveal coincidences & other people's past footprint which, I guess, is what psychogeography is all about. A startlingly good book that you have done justice to. Your films would fit perfectly into the schedule of BBC4, or Channel 4 etc., they certainly deserve to be widely viewed.Well done again.

[@jacquit4577]

Good interesting walk, John, although I think you mentioned the statue of William Booth in Whitechapel. He founded the Salvation Army, Charles Booth (no relation) created the famous London Poor maps.

[@dai19721]

cheers buddy

[@monkeytrousers6180]

What an interesting idea for a film. I'm going to get that book now. More literature theamed walks John they are bloody fascinating.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Pretty Vacant - I've got a couple more book based walks planned for later in the year, glad you enjoyed it

[@mayhorse66]

John, i really envy your life. Your videos inspire me to write my own book but wouldn't know where to start!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks May - the only place to start is at the beginning - just write whatever comes into your head and keep going

[@mayhorse66]

@@JohnRogersWalks Hmmm food for thought . . . cheers John. Look forward to more from you.

[@sarvapalacolinlocock7456]

Thanks John another great walk! Just to say the William Booth statue is of the other WB, the founder of the Salvation Army, who used to preach on Mile End waste as it was called.

[@drhowslounge]

One of the oldest Jewish burial grounds in London in a beautiful and quiet part of London. Tower Ham Lets Cemetary. Brick Lane and the Smoked Meat Restaurants which go back maybe 1,000 years, perhaps even more. Architecture. Czechoslovakia. Auschtwiz. With no disrespective connection whatsoever.

[@richardmonnick1908]

John, thank you for thi, in parts, very moving walk. Two further pieces of information. First, NM Rothschild is buried in Brady Street. Secondly, Alderney Road was the home, until they moved Stanmore in 2000, of Goldstein Smoked Salmon - delicious.

[@TechnicalAnalysts]

Great piece with brilliant music. Just a couple of points...I think Gandhi referred to Western civilisation rather than British Civilisation...though I could be wrong. Additionally, as anyone who has spent time in the East End will know...and I'm sure you do...it is beigel...not bagel 👍.

[@drhowslounge]

"A Jerusalem in Exile" bench. Thanx Bob. The Pianist > Berlin Grottos > Wanstead House > Copped Hall > and Knebworth House, Stevenage. Jewish Burial Ground > Waltham Abbey Jewisah Burial Ground > Highgate Cemetery. Artists. Valentines House, Valentines Park, Ilford, Essex, UK. Day trips for children. Maldon Coast London Taxi Drivers Community. 1695. William Booth and Step Knee. Stephanie. St Stephan.Sea Bold

[@ccjelley2390]

8:33 the referenced wiki entry for Sztencel or Stencl suggests he arrived in Whitechapel much later than 1936 ++, perhaps after the war. It's a bit ambiguous, you'd need to consult the original reference. ++ It's not clear where the date 1944 comes from because the quoted reference was published in 1939! [What's Sinclair's source for his story?]

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Interesting question- I’ll be walking round the East End with Iain soon for a video so will try to remember to ask him

[@trevorbarre5616]

Isn't Mocatta the villain in the classic 50s film Night of the Demon (a version of M.R. James' The Casting of the Runes, with Dana Andrews?). Or was it the name of Dennis Wheatley's baddie in The Devil Rides Out? It's all so devilishly confusing!!

[@nickwyatt9498]

M R James's villain is Carswell, Wheatley's Mocatta.

[@danstevens9992]

It's quite haunting on Old Montague Street - thats a contender for the heart and soul of Jewish east London, but it's just...lego nothingness. entirely post-war estate and it's not all blitz damaged, just civic destruction. Sad.

[@apexxxx10]

6:26

[@louistracy6964]

London is just a museum.

[@chrismccartney8668]

You must gave passed St Clements

[@JohnRogersWalks]

we only skirted the edge of the city on this walk and headed more or less straigh East

[@paulatreides0777]

Sixties not a good time for architecture why on earth did they let them architects out of the insane asylums