London Underground's Strangest Tales: Extraordinary but true stories (Strangest Series) Paperback – 7 Feb. 2013

1. At p.33 there is reference to Dr Barnado's coffin being carried from Liverpool Street to Barkingside 'on the Central Line' for his funeral in 1905.The Central Line eastern extension from Liverpool Street was not opened until after the Second World War. I suspect the author should have referred to the steam trains on what was then the Great Eastern Railway ( an overground rail system). It certainly could not have been the Central Line.2. At p.43 the author suggests that London was not bombed by the Germans in the First World War and that the Tube stations were not used as shelters. London was bombed by the Germans in WW 1, both from Zeppelins and aircraft. The population did use the Tube system as air-raid shelters at that time.3. At p.73 there is reference to the Plessey 'factory' which was set-up in the Underground tunnels between Wanstead and Gants Hill during WW 2. The author states that after the war commuters 'once again' became the norm rather than the factory workers. Infact the line here had never previously been used by commuters but was first opened for that purpose in 1947. The Beck Tube Map for 1946 shows this stretch of the Central Line as 'under construction'.4. Last, and actually least, at p. 60 the author refers to tube train drivers usually having to undergo 'years of meticulous training before they are let loose on a real train'. The training period is actually 22 weeks !

I bought this book as I previously read 'London's Strangest Tales' and found it really interesting. It's comprised of lots of short stories about the tube, from the early days of its creation to the present day. It's a nice book to dip in and out of, particularly if you're having a boring journey. The stories are quirky and fun and I often found myself reading 'just one more' before finally putting it down (or, rather, switching off the Kindle). I'd recommend it to anyone who has an interest in London history or who travels by tube on a regular basis.

The book says the tales are strange, even extraordinary - they aren't. What is strange is that they managed to get up a print run - I don't doubt the content of the book is factually accurate, but it's by no means extraordinary. In fact, it's somewhat dull and full of such "extraordinary" details like stations that weren't finished/opened on time that kind of thing. Hardly attention keeping....

light weight reading - good as a holiday book you can dip into between G&T's etc.

Funny, informative and short chapters, an ideal easy read. I learnt a lot about the underground and smiled along the way!

A great book full of interesting facts. Easy to dip in and out of as each fact is a short chapter. Works well alongside google too to gain those visual images of the locations mentioned!!

I love these books for their humorous tones. As someone who uses the tube, I'll now have something to (not) talk to people about. It's against tube etiquette.

Great book, just like it predecessor, short snippet length stories allowing the reader to dip in and out without getting entangled in a plot line and missing your stop!