One Stop Short of Barking: Uncovering the London Underground

RRP £7.99

Hardcover, 95 pages

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Reviews

(Rated 1 out of 5)

I'm wondering if this is actually the worst book I've ever read. If you're looking at this review, dear customer, please don't buy this book. It's junk. Unless, that is, you enjoy puerile "jokes" (did I laugh? I didn't even smile) mixed up with pointless photography and drop-dead stupid prose that would shame a ten-year-old schoolkid. If you're looking for real underground wit or insights into this fascinating subject, you most certainly won't find them here.

(Rated 4 out of 5)

This is a quite fun, easy to read, pleasantly illustrated book. As other say it is a bit lightweight and amusing rather than laugh out loud funny. If you have surfed around websites about the tube as much as I have (especially goingunderground.net then you will have seen much of the content before.
It is a good choice as present though to entertain the seasoned commuter or uninitiated out-of-towner.

(Rated 5 out of 5)

Unlike most other books about the London Underground this one is not supposed to be that serious. You can dip in & out of it as you like and there's always a fun little "fact" or piece of Tube trivia you didn't know about. Like Bumper Harris the wooden legged escalator tester and the Queen having to wait to open the DLR as it's computer system wouldn't let it start earlier. Good fun!

(Rated 2 out of 5)

I was a little surprised at the glowing reviews of this book. It's mildly amusing but not stunningly witty; it's rather lightweight and you can read it from cover to cover between Picadilly Circus and Barking. Lightweight, insubstantial, small on content and easily forgotten.

(Rated 5 out of 5)

Recent events relating to London's transport system may have scared some people off the Tube, but if you read this book, you'll see why so many Londoners hold the London Underground so close to their hearts and how it's totally connected to their lives.

Unofficial and official tube rules still hold strong and you'll be able to recognise the "lovable"/"annoying" habits of tube commuters on every line. Drivers' announcements can still make you laugh and the "tube survival" guide will give you a chuckle.

So if you want an antidote to the doom and gloom of commuting, you'd be Barking mad not to read it.