Walk the Lines

Walk the Lines

by Mark Mason (Author)

Synopsis

As a lifelong fan of London, Mark Mason embarks on a mission to 'conquer' the capital once and for all. The only way to truly discover a city, they say, is on foot. Taking this to extremes, Mark sets out to walk the entire length of the London Underground - overground - passing every station on the way. Over the course of several hundred miles, he comes to understand a sprawling metropolis that never ceases to surprise. In a story packed with historical trivia, personal musings and eavesdropped conversations, Mark learns how to get the best gossip in a City pub, how the Ritz made its female guests feel good about themselves, and why the Bank of England won't let you join the M11 northbound at Junction 5. He has an East End cup of tea with the Krays' official biographer, discovers what cabbies mean by 'on the cotton', and meets the Archers star who was the voice of "Mind the Gap". On a broader level, Mark contemplates London's contradictions as well as its charms. He gains insights into our fascination with maps and sees how walking changes our view of the world. Above all, in this love letter to a complicated friend, he celebrates the sights, sounds and soul of the greatest city on earth.

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Quantity

3 in stock

More Information

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 384
Publisher: Random House Books
Published: 14 Jul 2011

ISBN 10: 1847946534
ISBN 13: 9781847946539
Book Overview: An obsessive walks the entire London Underground system overground

Media Reviews
Crammed with delightful facts, it's a constantly fascinating journey Shortlist Mason, a lifelong Tube enthusiast, rediscovers the Underground by walking its routes overground The Times Endlessly fascinating Spectator This engaging foot puts its best foot forward with fascinating detail about both the Underground and its part in London's history Independent Mark Mason's Walk the Lines follows his mission to walk overground the routes taken by the London Underground. In doing so he uncovers some surprising insights into the capital and its inhabitants Choice
Author Bio
Born in the Midlands in 1971, Mark Mason moved to London when he was 20. Over the next 13 years he sold Christmas cards in Harrods, made radio programmes for the BBC and busked outside Eric Clapton gigs at the Royal Albert Hall. He also published three novels, several books of non-fiction, and wrote for publications as diverse as The Spectator and Four Four Two. He continues to do some of these things, though has now defected to Suffolk, where he lives with his partner and son.