A massive tome at 654 pages, but eminently readable and fascinating. Cruickshank convincingly argues that the engine of the sex trade had a huge impact on London - arts, culture, politics - during this period. Times were tough for women, and there were few outlets for intelligent motivated women to excel, or for poor women to survive. Period illustrations throughout, endnotes, index, extensive bibliography of period writings, and appendices "The Mob and Its Vengeance," "Women as Men," and "Dr James Graham." Two sections of color plates. Very good condition. St Martin's Press. 2009. Hb, Dj. USED. $15,00