The Subterranean Railway: How the London Underground Was Built and How it Changed the City Forever: Amazon.co.uk: Christian Wolmar: Books

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Product Description

Paul Barker, Evening Standard

'An entertaining and informative history.'

Metro

'Christian Wolmar goes beyond the bare facts to give us the human story of the Underground... Fascinating.'

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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index

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14 Reviews

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4.3 out of 5 stars (14 customer reviews)

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77 of 79 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining and revealing slice of London history, 3 Jul 2005

By	Heather "HF" (UK) - See all my reviews

This book deserves to be enjoyed well outside trainspotting or railway enthusiast circles. Charting the foundation and growth of one history's boldest engineering projects, it is full of fascinating revelations about London, its people, its politics, its demands and its ever-increasing needs. That sense of a secret world beneath our feet was never conveyed better. I read much of this book while travelling on the Underground itself, and emerged a good deal more appreciative of the visionary men who built it. Perhaps more commuters should do the same!

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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Interesting and Intelligent Book, 17 Nov 2007

By	Dr. R. Brandon (England) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This excellent and intelligent book charts the history of the London Underground from the early 1870s until the present day. Naturally the period of early development and expansion up to the establishment of Herbert Morrison's London Transport in 1933 is given most space with the Victoria Line and Jubilee Extension being briefly covered. The building of the cut and cover Metropolitan and the District Railway and the intense rivalry of their respective chairmen Edward Watkin and James Forbes is most interesting. The simultaneous relating of the story of the deep line electric railways, the technological developments and the always interesting roles of the great characters and engineers involved is the strength and pleasure of this book. The complex story is related with a speed and clarity that gives the feeling of excitement and wonder that must have existed at the time. The contribution of American technology brought over by Charles Yerkes, the station designs of Leslie Green and the later Art Deco of Charles Holden, the administrative genius of Ashfield and Frank Pick who between them formed the look of the Underground system that we now take for granted as 'naturally' correct, are all covered with immense flair in this excellent book. Read this and then rush to buy Wolmar's 'Fire and Steam'.

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54 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended, thoroughly interesting read!, 23 Dec 2004

By	dave (UK) - See all my reviews

Although there are many Underground histories, Christian Wolmar's Subterranean Railway brings it across in a very digestible and gripping read. Wolmar takes an interesting perspective, focusing on the social aspect of the Underground and the benefits it brought London, as well as recognising those great characters that gave the capital the pioneering Subterranean Railway.

A well recommended read by anyone with an interest in the railways, or indeed by ordinary commuters alike!

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars It's a long way to the end of the line
For those who cannot understand why regional rail services today do not run through London and how the 'Tube' developed this will be an informed read. Read more

Published 9 days ago by Mr. M. Timberlake

5.0 out of 5 stars Underground, Overground
This is an excellent book. Mr Wolmar has the knack of presenting this important history in such a manner that the people and events seem to be real and current. Read more

Published 3 months ago by neanco

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing
I was after a book that told me how the London Underground was constructed. This book was not it. Apart from a couple of sentences saying that some of the lines were built using... Read more

Published 6 months ago by Adrian S. Morris

4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating
I have never liked the underground, I am a clautrophobic country girl. But one thing I have learnt is that if you learn about what you fear you get over that fear. Read more

Published 6 months ago by Mad cat woman

5.0 out of 5 stars Creating The Gap of "Mind the Gap!"
"The District (Line) ... attracted considerable negative (press) coverage with various mechanical failures and, in particular, its primitive air-operated doors which apparently... Read more

Published 11 months ago by Joseph Haschka

2.0 out of 5 stars Potentially interesting - poorly executed
I know a little about the Tube, gleaned from websites and many years' use as a tourist and then commuter. Read more

Published 11 months ago by Rogthedodge

4.0 out of 5 stars Wolmar takes you down under.
Christian Wolmar is a journalist who happens to have an interest in trains and this is one of many books he has written on the subject over the last 10 years. Read more

Published 19 months ago by Daniel Storey

5.0 out of 5 stars A compelling account of a masterful creation
This book looks at the creation of the underground from all angles: political, technical, social - and is interesting throughout. Read more

Published 19 months ago by Bones

5.0 out of 5 stars surprisingly fascinating and readable history
Well researched lively and interesting history of the World's oldest and
most respected underground railway. Read more

Published 22 months ago by R. J. Brady

4.0 out of 5 stars Travelling to Burnt Oak
Christian Wolmar has produced an excellent book with a fair sprinkling of characters, politics and high finance. Read more

Published 24 months ago by Lewis Graham

› See all 14 customer reviews...

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The Subterranean Railway: How the London Underground Was Built and How it Changed the City Forever (Hardcover)

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	84% buy the item featured on this page: The Subterranean Railway: How the London Underground Was Built and How it Changed the City Forever 4.3 out of 5 stars (14)
	8% buy Fire and Steam: A New History of the Railways in Britain 4.6 out of 5 stars (23) �5.37
	3% buy What's in a Name?: Origins of Station Names on the London Underground 4.2 out of 5 stars (5) �4.67