Items related to Eleven Minutes Late
Britain gave railways to the world, yet its own network is the dearest (definitely) and the worst (probably) in Western Europe. Trains are deeply embedded in the national psyche and folklore - yet it is considered uncool to care about them.
For Matthew Engel the railway system is the ultimate expression of Britishness. It represents all the nation's ingenuity, incompetence, nostalgia, corruption, humour, capacity for suffering and even sexual repression. To uncover its mysteries, Engel has travelled the system from Penzance to Thurso, exploring its history and talking to people from politicians to platform staff.
Along the way Engel ('half-John Betjeman, half-Victor Meldrew') finds the most charmingly bizarre train in Britain, the most beautiful branch line, the rudest railwayman, and - after a quest lasting decades - an Individual Pot of Strawberry Jam. Eleven Minutes Late is both a polemic and a paean, and it is also very funny.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review:
'It is a testament to Engel's skill as a writer that he makes what could have been really quite depressing and tiresome appear fascinating and engaging throughout. You feel he could turn his hand to provide a diverting account of grouting . . . This is a supremely useful book as well as an enjoyable one. It asks, and answers, all the right questions.' --Nicholas Lezard's Paperback Choice, Guardian
'An entertaining read, and a good look at our railways.' --Railways Illustrated
'The cover alone . . . is enough to stir the heart of any self-respecting buff.' --Sunday Telegraph
'Highly personal and very funny'
--London Review of Books
'The book is a triumph and deserves an audience far beyond those infatuated with the clickety-clack of steel wheels.'
--Independent
'Matthew Engel's highly personal and very funny history of the British railways' --London Review of Books
Book Description:
'An entertaining read, and a good look at our railways.' --Railways Illustrated
'The cover alone . . . is enough to stir the heart of any self-respecting buff.' --Sunday Telegraph
'Highly personal and very funny'
--London Review of Books
'The book is a triumph and deserves an audience far beyond those infatuated with the clickety-clack of steel wheels.'
--Independent
'Matthew Engel's highly personal and very funny history of the British railways' --London Review of Books
A funny and affecting portrait of Britain's love hate relationship with the railway with a new chapter for this paperback edition
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherMagna Large Print Books
- Publication date2010
- ISBN 10 0750531991
- ISBN 13 9780750531993
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages384
- Rating
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Eleven Minutes Late
Published by
Magna Large Print Books
(2010)
ISBN 10: 0750531991
ISBN 13: 9780750531993
Used
Hardcover
Quantity: 1
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Rating
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 1.01. Seller Inventory # G0750531991I3N10
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