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

by Christian Wolmar (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
RRP: £9.99
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Customers buy this book with Fire and Steam: A New History of the Railways in Britain by Christian Wolmar

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Product details

  • Paperback: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Atlantic Books; New edition edition (15 Sep 2005)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 1843540231
  • ISBN-13: 978-1843540236
  • Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.8 x 3.4 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 2,547 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories:

    #6 in  Books > Reference > Transport > Railways
    #7 in  Books > Business, Finance & Law > Economics > History
    #7 in  Books > History > Cultural History > London

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Product Description

Review

"'A masterful account.' Michael Binyon, The Times; 'Wolmar... is a Pullman among story-tellers... I can think of few better ways to while away those elastic periods awaiting the arrival of the next east-bound Circle Line train than by reading it.' Tom Fort, Sunday Telegraph; 'The Subterranean Railway captures the enthusiasm of the early years... using a deft selection of facts and anecdotes.' John O'Connell, Time Out"


Metro

'Christian Wolmar goes beyond the bare facts to give us the human story of the Underground... Fascinating.' --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Inside This Book (Learn More)
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
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The Subterranean Railway: How the London Underground Was Built and How it Changed the City Forever
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The Subterranean Railway: How the London Underground Was Built and How it Changed the City Forever 4.3 out of 5 stars (15)
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Fire and Steam: A New History of the Railways in Britain 4.6 out of 5 stars (23)
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What's in a Name?: Origins of Station Names on the London Underground
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What's in a Name?: Origins of Station Names on the London Underground 4.2 out of 5 stars (5)
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15 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.3 out of 5 stars (15 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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78 of 80 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining and revealing slice of London history, 3 Jul 2005
This review is from: The Subterranean Railway: How the London Underground Was Built and How it Changed the City Forever (Hardcover)
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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22 of 22 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 review is from: The Subterranean Railway: How the London Underground Was Built and How it Changed the City Forever (Hardcover)
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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56 of 59 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended, thoroughly interesting read!, 23 Dec 2004
This review is from: The Subterranean Railway: How the London Underground Was Built and How it Changed the City Forever (Hardcover)
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 A new look at an old system
I was given this book as a present, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I am amazed how little I knew about a system I use regularly, and completely agree with the comments in the book... Read more
Published 7 days ago by Anthony Kesterton

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 21 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 7 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 12 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 12 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 20 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

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