"Liverpool beguiles, Liverpool bewilders. Swift's superb analysis gets to the scarred heart of this troubled, beautiful and spirited city" - Paul Du Noyer

"[Swift] has a terrific eye for the telling detail . . . You should read this book" - Guardian

"Deftly blends a sweeping, multi-century history of the city's rising and fading fortunes with the cultural vignettes of Beatlemania and Merseybeat, the figure of the "scally" and Liverpool's "birds", and the emergence of football casual culture which began on Anfield and Goodison Park's terraces" - New Statesman

"David Swift skilfully evokes the bright, raucous, lively, noisy city. I have no Liverpool ancestors myself, but reading this book made me hope that I might find some" - Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine

"Spiky" - UnHerd

"Written with the secure touch of a native Scouser looking out over the River Mersey. His extensive scholarship is lightened with quotes from people he has interviewed, personal anecdotes and wry asides" - Literary Review

"From its soccer teams to the Beatles, David Swift explores how the city's proud history has set it apart from the rest of England" - Irish Independent