Great Railway Maps of the World [Hardcover]

The romance of the overground railway pours from the edges of many of the images in Great Railway Maps...Few other subjects can envelop such a heady mixture of design, history, geography and - more often than not - usefulness. It's well worth alighting on (Will Dean Independent )

Just the ticket...it is a glorious celebration of the pioneering history - and romance - of the railways (Sunday Times Travel Books of the Year 2011 )

On a lighter note, I also hugely enjoyed poring over Mark Ovenden's Great Railway Maps of the World, beautifully produced and illustrated with posters and photographs as well as original maps dating back almost to the beginnings of the railway age in the 19th century (Richard J. Evans New Statesman Books of the Year 2011 )

This is a terrific coffee table book. It's a work of art in itself. Mark Ovenden has created a book that will transport the lucky recipient on an eccentric and world tour they will not forget (The Bookseller )

If you love railways or know someone who does...this is the book for you (Robert Elms, Bbc London )

This will appeal to anyone who loves design, maps and railways. Every page is packed beautiful imagery (Steve Allen, Lbc 97.3 Fm )

Beautiful and well-presented...An excellent book, worth every penny of its purchase price (Railways Illustrated - Nov 2011 Product of the Month )

Informative and interesting (Time Out )

With a striking collection of hundreds of above ground rail maps, Railway Maps of the World...is the first book to show modern day railway networks from every country (BBC America )

Ovenden has returned with a sophomore rail maps effort...[that] raises goosebumps...and recaptures the amazing spirit of expedition first made possible by the railroads (Rich Sampson Rail Magazine )

A handsome, richly illustrated book that is a loving homage to railways and the art of mapmaking (Chicago Tribune )

A unique, beautifully illustrated and comprehensive history of the world's greatest railway maps, and the railways behind them

The irresistible follow-up to the cult favorite, Metro Maps of the World, Mark Ovenden's new book is an extraordinary compendium of historical and contemporary railway maps and posters from every corner of the world. The history of the railway is the history of Britain -and France, and America, and Japan, and Russia, among many others. Featuring hundreds of images, covering two centuries of advertising,surveyors' maps, route guides, travel posters, photos, and Google Earth maps, this is a book brimming with history, anecdotes, facts, and data. It is a must-have guide for every train fanatic, armchair or ticketed, as well as lovers of graphic design, history and the romance of train travel.

Mark Ovenden is a British writer and broadcaster. At the age of seven, he travelled alone ten miles on the London Underground, armed only with a map. He later gained entry to a Graphic Design course by submitting a reworking of the London tube map. After working in journalism and media, life came full circle on the publication of his first book, Metro Maps of the World. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society and lives in Paris, France.