London Underground: Architecture, Design and History

by David Long, Jane Magarigal

A stunning collection of previously unpublished photographs perfect for anyone interested in the history of London Underground, its style, and architecture With a supporting text detailing the rich architectural and design heritage of the London Underground, this unique photographic collection provides a striking record of the subterranean city before financial pressures, a lack of planning and investment, and new safety legislation began to take their toll. Exploring the fascinating history and important nostalgia value of the network—both aspects which are rarely appreciated by the average strap-hanging rider—the book celebrates what remains a magnificent engineering and aesthetic achievement while providing an affectionate if slightly elegiac portrait of a London which is now gone for good.

Genres: London, History, Nonfiction, Architecture, Transport

144 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2011

About the author

Winner of the Blue Peter Book of the Year 2017, writer and journalist David Long has regularly appeared in The Times and the London Evening Standard, as well as on television and radio. He has written more than 30 books for children and adults and lives in Suffolk.

Reviews

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writer & journalist David Long puts together some fascinating details about the people who designed the look of the London Underground. From the look of the stations to the design of the signage, Long shows us how things people now take for granted came about.
Jane Magarigal's excellent black & white photographs enhance the text wonderfully. Although I've read many books of the history of the London Underground I found her photographs, showing how the Tube looked in the 1970s, very nostalgic. It was a bonus to see numerous posters on the platform walls for new film releases of the time including Logan's Run, Cross of Iron & King Kong as well as long forgotten adverts for alcohol & cigarettes.
The final section of the book is photographer Jane Magarigal's story of how she came to take the photographs, & this rounds off a very enjoyable book.

[Thor · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid book, at closer to 3,5 stars, although rounded down.

I enjoyed the pictures, as well at the deals, but personally I would have appreciated more detailed descriptions of both the photos and what more of the decisions Holden made throughout the architectural work that took place.

[Greg lycett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

[Adam Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

A unique and slightly unusual history of the development of the key components that make the identity and look and corporate brand of the London Underground as we know it today. The book is slightly disorienting at first because it is clearly written quite recently but the exquisite and atmospheric black and white photographs by Jane Magarigal are from the late 1970s and this is, perhaps deliberately not made clear. The book covers the development of the corporate image and marketing by Frank Pick, the famous map by Harry Beck and also the not so well publicised but equally important font used in the posters and signs by Edward Johnston. The importance of the station architect Charles Holden is also covered but it is the photographs that steal the show.