Chingford`s geological make-up and topography formed natural barriers to the 19th century development which transformed nearby Walthamstow and Tottenham. Consequently, Chingford remained an inward-looking, self -contained entity until well into the 20th century, Developers reached it at last and made it an upmarket residential area guarded by Epping Forest. Barbara Ray`s book tells the story of this gradual transformation with the aid of numerous illustrations, many published for the first time.