Walk the Lines
  • Published: 15 June 2013
  • ISBN: 9780099557937
  • Imprint: Arrow
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 400
  • RRP: $29.99

Walk the Lines

The London Underground, Overground

Formats & editions
EBook
14 Jul 2011
Paperback
15 Jun 2013
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An obsessive walks the entire London Underground system overground

The only way to truly discover a city, they say, is on foot. Taking this to extremes, Mark Mason sets out to walk the entire length of the London Underground - overground - passing every station on the way.

In a story packed with historical trivia, personal musings and eavesdropped conversations, Mark learns how to get the best gossip in the City, where to find a pint at 7am, 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'.

Over the course of several hundred miles, 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.
  • Published: 15 June 2013
  • ISBN: 9780099557937
  • Imprint: Arrow
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 400
  • RRP: $29.99
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About the author

Mark Mason

Mark Mason's previous non-fiction includes The Importance of Being Trivial, Walk the Lines, The Bluffer's Guide To Football and The Bluffer's Guide To Bond. He is also the author of three novels, and has written for most British national newspapers (though never about anything too heavy), and magazines from The Spectator to Four Four Two. He lives in Suffolk with his partner and son.

Also by Mark Mason

Move Along, Please
The Importance of Being Trivial
See all

Praise for Walk the Lines

Endlessly fascinating

Spectator

Crammed with delightful facts ... a constantly fascinating journey

Shortlist

This engaging book puts its best foot forward

Independent

An extraordinary odyssey

Robert Elms, BBC London

Awesome

Shaun Keaveny, BBC Radio 6 Music

Rediscovers the Underground

The Times

Mason may have made himself the Bill Bryson of our capital city

The Bookseller

I was charmed by the book's profusion of insightful anecdotes and fascinating trivia

Walk Magazine