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Walk The Lines: The London Underground, Overground (2011)

by Mark Mason(Favorite Author)

3.98 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

1847946534 (ISBN13: 9781847946539)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Random House Books

review 1: Walk the Lines: The London Underground, Overground is precisely what the book is about. Mark Mason decided to walk the entire length of the London Underground, overground.The author shares details about how he completed his unusual challenge and in the process, he provides a comprehensive view of London that entertains as well as informs.Starting with the Victoria Line in the first chapter, the author shares tidbits of information such as where you can find Little Ben (a replica of Big Ben),why there are no formal flowerbeds in Green Park, and why the correct tea making etiquette is definitely not pouring milk in first.In each subsequent chapter, another line is walked and the author reveals more fascinating details about each of the stations he visits and the surrounding ... morearea. Along the way, the author discovers all sorts of historical facts and trivia about London. He also explains the origins of place names, and expressions.Interspersed in his cheerful narrative about the places he visits, the author also writes about various people he meets along the way such as a student as she sets out to do the Knowledge (a special test which all London taxi drivers must complete) and the man behind the original 'mind the gap' voice. The author also delights in sharing snatches of conversations he overhears and observations of people he sees during his walks.I thoroughly enjoyed reading Walk the Lines, and I'm grateful to the publisher, Random House Books, for sending me a copy. The plethora of fascinating details about London and the author's easy-going style make it a lot of fun to read. Every page has another interesting (quirky) fact and all the footnotes are a must-read too. The author's obvious delight when he learned something new and his enthusiasm for the task he set himself is infectious. Walk the Lines will appeal to everyone who loves London. Whether you live and/or work in London or you are a tourist, this book is for you. It's a perfect book if you are an Anglophile. Indeed, the book has something for everyone. It's not just about walking the lines, it's about maps, language, history, geography, and people. It's about how one man completes his plan to Walk the Lines: The London Underground, Overground and thus reveals a unique perspective of London. An impressive task, and a very entertaining book.
review 2: Interesting book - a clever and interesting coming-together of an interest in the London Underground, of maps, and of London itself.This is full of great and interesting anecdotes about London; there's some fascinating information in it. Of course, he says little about the parts of London that I'm most familiar with - as is always the way in these types of books - but there's enough in here to open the eyes of anyone who's lived in London for long enough.Some parts don't quite work - his circle line walk is an increasingly bad-tempered pub crawl, without much discussion of the pubs or the areas he walks through - but he does have a good amount of guests who he talks to throughout, adding additional colour to a fascinating read. less

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