Part 1 (1660-1663): The years of optimism. A city of expectation ; The King comes in ; Theatrum redux! ; Something for everyone? ; Rivals ; The crowning of a king ; "Too great an honour for a trifle" ; Foreign adventures

Part 2 (1664-1667): The years of disaster. Trade wars ; A new world of science ; The year of the flea ; Pestilence, war and fire ; The aftermath ; A star is born

Part 3 (1667-1685): The years of turmoil. The threat from abroad ; New territories ; Law and order ; A spy in the family, in the Court and in the theatre ; Trading in people and money ; War and enterprise ; The mood of the city ; Coffee wars at home, real wars in the colonies ; City life ; The city convulsed ; The fall of Madam Creswell and the migration of criminals ; The city cowed, the city triumphant ; Death and legacy

Appendix I: Thomas Mun, England's treasure ; Appendix II: The Navigation Act, 1660 ; Appendix III: Robert Boyle's Desiderata ; Appendix IV: Brief observations concerning trade and interest of money ; Appendix V: Notes on the formation of the Bank of England.