Underground, Overground: A Passenger's History of the Tube Main Edition

A jaunty history… the book is studded with little observational gems… he can occasionally stop you in your tracks with a well-turned phrase. — Andrew Holgate ― Sunday Times Published On: 2012-04-22

Seeing Martin puzzle his way through the history is half the fun, as are his lively interlocutors … the language is beautiful — Rose Jacobs ― FT Published On: 2012-04-28

A sparky history of the tube … Martin has more fun with it than most … He honours the Underground, and glories in its oddities — Tom Fort ― Sunday Telegraph Published On: 2012-04-29

For those who love a bit of darting about the Londinium subway whenever the chance comes, Underground, Overground will be a sweat-induced, claustrophobic treat — Brian Donaldson ― The List Published On: 2012-04-26

Hugely entertaining … gives us all the lore and myths … Underground, Overground captures the same zest, zaniness and sense of marvel shown in the recent BBC Two series The Tube. — Michael Binyon ― Times Published On: 2012-05-05

A highly engaging journey through the history and geography of the tube. — Jonathan Sale ― Independent Published On: 2012-05-05

An excellent “passenger’s history” of the network… entertaining — Mark Mason ― Spectator Published On: 2012-04-28

If you’ve ever wondered who is responsible for the announcements on the Northern line, or why Bakerloo line trains don’t have armrests, then this engaging and witty social history of the London underground is guaranteed to beguile.

. . . Martin is a highly entertaining guide to the stygian depths of subterranean London in all its absurd, confusing glory. . . Offbeat anecdotes abound . . . a compact yet comprehensive study

— Alexander Larman ― Observer Published On: 2012-05-13

Pages of fascinating facts… — Lola Sinclair ― The Lady Published On: 2012-05-18

Where Martin’s book comes into its own is on the experiential aspects of tube travel… Martin is never less than engaging. He also mounts a spirited – and even to this sceptic, thoroughly convincing – defence of Ken Livingstone’s tenure as London transport supremo, which should be required reading by public policy wonks all the way to the top. On balance, if you’re a tube neophyte – I mean reading about it, as much as riding it – I would strongly endorse Martin’s book as the stop to get on at. — Will Self ― Guardian Published On: 2012-05-26

Martin’s witty tome is as entertaining as its subject is frustrating and, perhaps surprisingly, liable to induce sympathy for the poor sods who run the ever teetering service. — Steve Jelbert ― Word Published On: 2012-05-01

A compelling social history that blends reportage, humour and personal experience. — Simon Evans ― Choice Published On: 2012-06-01

A deeply pleasurable history of the London tube. Martin has all the history at his fingertips… — Kathryn Hughes ― Prospect Published On: 2012-05-01

So dense with fascinating facts that a Londoner can dip in it at almost any point and get a new insight to enrich their experience of the city… a fine tribute to the tube — Kevin Younger ― Time Out Published On: 2012-06-07

Martin is the Laureate of the Underground… Martin has an acute eye for detail, and tempers his own knowledge with a dry humour. Unlike many funny writers, he is both affectionate and alert to nuance… you emerge from this book as though from the Underground itself, blinking into the sunlight as you bid farewell to its peculiar, parallel universe, a place where, as Martin says, ‘it always seems to be evening’… it wouldn’t be surprising if the next pigeon he spots on the Tube was bent over a copy of his fascinating book, saying ‘Coo!’ — Craig Brown ― Mail on Sunday Published On: 2012-06-17

The best introduction to the tube . . . I missed my stop on three separate occasions when engrossed in this readable and very funny history . . . Mr Martin is the perfect guide — Michael Murray-Fennell ― Country Life Published On: 2012-07-25

Fascinating — Craig Brown ― Daily Mail Published On: 2012-09-11