Walk the Lines by Mark Mason
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.
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 UndergroundIn doing so he uncovers some surprising insights into the capital and its inhabitants * Choice *
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 UndergroundIn doing so he uncovers some surprising insights into the capital and its inhabitants * Choice *
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.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9781847946539 |
| ISBN 10 | 1847946534 |
| Title | Walk the Lines |
| Author | Mark Mason |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | Cornerstone |
| Year published | 2011-07-14 |
| Number of pages | 384 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |