John Betjeman is the best loved English poet of this century. His "Collected Poems" made publishing history and has now sold more than two million copies. In each generation a new following is captivated by his unmistakable voice, whose compassion can swell into indignation and whose humour is underlaid with gentle satire and often self-doubt. His virtuosity is astonishing and his ability to catch the spirit of place is unrivalled.

David Gentleman, well known for his evocative paintings of Britain, Paris, Italy and India, has loved Betjeman's poems for years and has illustrated them in this book with great sensitivity and feeling. His paintings complement the poems in delightful and often surprising ways. Every illustration has a parallel poetry of its own.