A funny and affecting portrait of Britain's love hate relationship with the railway with a new chapter for this paperback edition
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Review
'It is a testament to Engel's skill as a writer that he makes what could have been really quite depressing and tiresome appear fascinating and engaging throughout. You feel he could turn his hand to provide a diverting account of grouting . . . This is a supremely useful book as well as an enjoyable one. It asks, and answers, all the right questions.' --Nicholas Lezard's Paperback Choice, Guardian
'An entertaining read, and a good look at our railways.' --Railways Illustrated
'The cover alone . . . is enough to stir the heart of any self-respecting buff.' --Sunday Telegraph
'Highly personal and very funny'
--London Review of Books
'The book is a triumph and deserves an audience far beyond those infatuated with the clickety-clack of steel wheels.'
--Independent
'Matthew Engel's highly personal and very funny history of the British railways' --London Review of Books
'An entertaining read, and a good look at our railways.' --Railways Illustrated
'The cover alone . . . is enough to stir the heart of any self-respecting buff.' --Sunday Telegraph
'Highly personal and very funny'
--London Review of Books
'The book is a triumph and deserves an audience far beyond those infatuated with the clickety-clack of steel wheels.'
--Independent
'Matthew Engel's highly personal and very funny history of the British railways' --London Review of Books
Review
'brilliant...The beauty of Eleven Minutes Late is that it combines a sustained and very funny rant about the chaotic state of Britain's privatised rail system with huge affection for the romance of the train. And indeed with the beguiling history of travel.'
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
129 of 132 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
For anyone who likes travelling by rail and believes that rail travel is a good thing this book is a must. The author takes a trip from Penzance to Thurso and back, going as fast as he can up and meandering down. In doing so he demonstrates beautifully the occasional joys and many vexations of travelling by rail in Britain. However, the book is not just about the trip, it also covers in detail the history of how the railways came to be built and of the staggering incompetence of government policy towards the railways over the past 150 years, culminating in the appallingly botched privatisation in the 1990's and why no government is prepared to invest what it takes to give us the railway system we deserve in a country that is ideally suited for rail travel. A fine piece of work.
57 of 59 people found the following review helpful
By K. Steele
Format:Hardcover
I bought this book minutes before getting on a Virgin train from Glasgow to London, and although I didn't have the "priviledge" of meeting the foul mouthed buffet car attendant Umerji, I certainly did manage to be eleven minutes late (fifteen to be exact). The title of course refers to the latest idiosyncracy of the British railway network, in that a long distance train is only "late" if the delay at the arrival terminus exceeds ten minutes.
That aside, Matthew Engel takes us on a journey from Penzance to Thurso and back; up and down the modern network, fighting his way through the many quirks and idiosyncracies of a transport system originally built by feuding Victorian entrepreneurs more interested in making a profit than necessarily doing what was best for serving society's needs. The story is intertwined with a brief history of how the system we know today came about; the various highs and lows from the Railway Mania of the mid 19th Century, the subsequent consolidation and nationalisation into British Rail, culimating in the disastrous 1990s privatisation and its aftermath. Along the way, the story is interspersed with little anecdotes about the people and situations Engel encounters on his travels.
The British of course have a love/hate relationship with the iron road. We get misty eyed over old steam engines, heritage lines, how the infamous Beeching cuts of the 1960s were one of the biggest acts of post-war vandalism, yet complain that todays trains are too often late, too old, too expensive, and represent inefficient use of taxpayer's money. Yet we all know our country was built by its railways, and that we simply can't do without them - for all their faults. Engel nails this paradox with witty and entertaining style.
The latter chapters on privatisation are particularly good, as they quickly summarise the tragedies and follies of one of the most spectactular Government policy failures in recent memory - without getting bogged down in details - think of it as a great companion to Christian Wolmar's "On The Wrong Line" if you can't be bothered with all the in-depth analysis.
An excellent read - it will brighten up any delayed journey!
That aside, Matthew Engel takes us on a journey from Penzance to Thurso and back; up and down the modern network, fighting his way through the many quirks and idiosyncracies of a transport system originally built by feuding Victorian entrepreneurs more interested in making a profit than necessarily doing what was best for serving society's needs. The story is intertwined with a brief history of how the system we know today came about; the various highs and lows from the Railway Mania of the mid 19th Century, the subsequent consolidation and nationalisation into British Rail, culimating in the disastrous 1990s privatisation and its aftermath. Along the way, the story is interspersed with little anecdotes about the people and situations Engel encounters on his travels.
The British of course have a love/hate relationship with the iron road. We get misty eyed over old steam engines, heritage lines, how the infamous Beeching cuts of the 1960s were one of the biggest acts of post-war vandalism, yet complain that todays trains are too often late, too old, too expensive, and represent inefficient use of taxpayer's money. Yet we all know our country was built by its railways, and that we simply can't do without them - for all their faults. Engel nails this paradox with witty and entertaining style.
The latter chapters on privatisation are particularly good, as they quickly summarise the tragedies and follies of one of the most spectactular Government policy failures in recent memory - without getting bogged down in details - think of it as a great companion to Christian Wolmar's "On The Wrong Line" if you can't be bothered with all the in-depth analysis.
An excellent read - it will brighten up any delayed journey!
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By b
Format:Paperback
Travellers may often ask why British railways are quite so bad especially when compared to those on the continent or further afield. In this book which is part travelogue, part history,Matthew Engel seeks to answer the question revealing how the railway system has been the victim of shortsighted political manipulations by successive governments reluctant to invest but all too keen to look for profits.
The book starts with Engel's account of his journey from one end of the country to the other. His enthusiasm brings to life the beautiful, melancholy of the railway line cutting through remote Scottish glens, the architectural grandeur of the stations and his sympathy for the railway enthusiasts who are convnetionally represented as oddballs and misfits. His depiction of politicians is sharp and barbed and often cynical. Engel is highly critical of the forced closure of local services in the 1960s and the ridiuclous privatisation of the 1990s. He mocks the pretensions of many of the companies and reveals the awful quality of passenger service.
What makes this book work is that Engel always writes with balance and precision; his writing is full of a sharp humour and he captures the spirit of the 19th century railway builders beautifully.
I can only say that I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book!!
The book starts with Engel's account of his journey from one end of the country to the other. His enthusiasm brings to life the beautiful, melancholy of the railway line cutting through remote Scottish glens, the architectural grandeur of the stations and his sympathy for the railway enthusiasts who are convnetionally represented as oddballs and misfits. His depiction of politicians is sharp and barbed and often cynical. Engel is highly critical of the forced closure of local services in the 1960s and the ridiuclous privatisation of the 1990s. He mocks the pretensions of many of the companies and reveals the awful quality of passenger service.
What makes this book work is that Engel always writes with balance and precision; his writing is full of a sharp humour and he captures the spirit of the 19th century railway builders beautifully.
I can only say that I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Engel's angle reigns supreme!
I have enjoyed Matthew Engel's musings for the past 30 years beginning with his wry take on County Cricket and more recently his regular columns in the Financial Times. Read more
Published 1 month ago by David Watts
3.0 out of 5 stars
A Return to Never Never Land
Trains seem to be quite lovable things - planes and buses, for example, don't inspire the affection that trains and railways do. This book reflects that love. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Stephen Hudson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Couln't put it down!
If you are at all interested in British railways, and their influence on social history you'll enjoy this book. Read more
Published 1 month ago by D R Marsden
3.0 out of 5 stars
Wryly Told History of British Railways
This is a cleverly written anecdotal history of British Railways since the beginning. It ends with a liberally seasoned account of the trials experienced by contemporary... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Andy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very satisfied.
A comprehensiv and enlightning book, a good font size used throughout. A fast delivery item which survived the rigours of the postal systems to arrive in good condition. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Steamy 1
5.0 out of 5 stars
Happy
bought this as a present and I'm very pleased - looks well written and interesting for those with an interest in railways.
Published 5 months ago by Linda Morris
5.0 out of 5 stars
Railman
All the reviews were correct, this is a very good, very well written book,funny and a very good read. Read more
Published 6 months ago by cairns
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not a travelogue, but..
One of the two star reviews says 'I was expecting a travelogue, a journey around the British Isles...' and the low rating clearly reflects the writers disappointment. Read more
Published 9 months ago by R. Frith
4.0 out of 5 stars
You can no longer get to Bishop's Nympton from here
"... what Britain had was a fur-coat-and-no-knickers railway, the opulence of the show disguising the threadbare reality underneath. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Joseph Haschka
4.0 out of 5 stars
Ambiguous Title, But Rewarding Nonetheless.
The title is ambiguous, and can fool the unwary (myself included) into thinking this is Bill Bryson on the railways. It is not: It is two different train journeys entirely. Read more
Published 10 months ago by J. Mccready
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