The Subterranean Railway: How the London Underground Was Built and How it Changed the City Forever by: Christian Wolmar
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17 reviews
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Publisher: Atlantic Books
Release date: 15th September, 2005
Media: Paperback
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Rating: - Fascinating reading.
"Fascinating! Very well documented and cross-referenced, it does manage to turn a rollercoaster of a development into captivating reading. Never knew that the London underground was largely developed by private entrepreneurs with next to none coordination among them. Also, it is amazing to read how ingenuity overcame technical limitations of the time. What an achievement!"
Rating: - Why do they do that?
Having worked on LU projects for several years, my natural interest in industrial archeology always brings up the questions - why have such old-fashioned procedures for getting work done, why don't they invest in it properly instead of trying to make it commercial and so on. In this book, Christian Wolmar goes through the history, the squabbles, the old insistence that the state can do nothing for it in a detailed and sympathetic way.
Far from being a dry diary of events, the real "live" background that prompted people and organisations to behave as they did is brought through, explaining the real facts of history as it affects us now.
It appears to me that Wolmar did the research for this book whilst writing Down the Tube - he had to answer all the why questions; that is my guess as this book came out after, but I decided to start in time sequence with this one.
If you are at all interested in why you are on the cramped, badly ventilated, noisy and old-fashioned London Underground, then this is your book. There's also lots more on railways, engineering, finance, social history and industrial archeology; and I get the impression that Mr Wolmar likes it?
Rating: - 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 that this history should be more prominently displayed on the Underground itself. I am sure many Londoners and tourists would find this interesting. The book emphasizes not only the haphazard growth of the system, but also the role it has played in the expansion of London and surrounding areas.
However, this book could do with some better editing: the first few chapters seem to repeat much of the information while not adding much to the story. It would be good to have a few more pictures and diagrams to show how the lines extended over the years. It is a pity that the modern map is split over two pages - but then again, you can have a much better tube map for free from your nearest London underground station.
In general, an excellent book, and worth buying.
Rating: - 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. Learning why train operators in the 19th century could do what we have difficulty in doing today says a lot about our lack of vision and the long term planning of our rail 'network'. Full of facts and interest but not something I could read cover to cover in one go. Suitable for students, a long journey, or a rainy day.
Rating: 
- 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. There is nothing missed, from the efforts of the early pioneers to the (apparent) falling of scales from the eyes of 21st Century administrators. And it's all readable! The system began in 1864 and is still in full use today, so if you are inquisitive enough to want to how and why, buy this book and read all about it.
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