Product Description

With 980 million passengers a year, more than 250 miles of track, literally hundreds of different stations and a history stretching back nearly 150 years, the world's oldest underground railway might seem familiar, but actually, how well do you know it? Do you know, for example, who the Queen sat next to when she first went on the Tube in 1939? Or what they did with all the earth dug out to make way for the Piccadilly Line? Or indeed why it is that without the common shipworm, Teredo navalis, the Tube network might not even exist? Thought not. But now, with 10,000 wacky facts at your fingertips, "The Little Book of the London Underground" will tell you everything you need to know - and plenty more that your probably don't.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12633 in Books
• Published on: 2009-09-21
• Binding: Hardcover
• 192 pages

Review
`Facts to fascinate about the London Underground' --London Evening Standard, 29 October 2009

Customer Reviews

Tubular Swells!
(....with apologies to fans of Mike Oldfield). Another great and quirky London book that goes beyond the tourist's guide, the social historian's reference book, or the trivia fan's menu of little known facts. This author is a recent discovery for me (see my earlier review), and I am beguiled by the amusing, historical and outrageous tales he lays out for the reader. This is beautifully written in an engaging style that leaves the reader feeling in cahoots, a member of `those who know'. And I loved the cartoons.

This book is excellent!
I absolutely loved reading this book and I don't even use the tube that often, being an out and out country bumpkin. It's humorous, informative and down right eyebrow-raising in equal measure. David Long obviously knows his subject and has captured the tube, it's foibles and its fancies perfectly. I would strongly recommend this book not only for anyone who uses the tube on a daily basis but to anyone who has any interest in this great and important part of London and its history. It's perfect for tourists, but is intelligent and deep enough for even the most battle-hardened commuter to learn something new from. You never know, it might actually make the journey more bearable with its useful hints and tips on tube etiquette and optimal seating arrangements (just small examples of what this book has to offer). I actually want to go back to London and do an 'underground' tour with this book acting as my guide!

Little book of the London Underground
After seeing an extract of this book in the London Evening Standard newspaper, I just had to buy it! It's an amusing book full of interesting facts for the train enthusiast! My partner will love it (Christmas present)!!!