Customer Reviews

Labyrinths of Iron, a History of the World's Subways: A History of the World's Subways

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The best book ever written by far on the history of underground travel (including subways) in all its aspects. Published some 25 years ago, it has become a classic. The first reviewer's objection is silly and myopic since the book is a history, not a work of journalism. The last chapter of the book is merely a round-up of subways as they existed at the time. The rest of LABYRINTHS OF IRON is enduring history through and through. It was this remarkable book that launched the career of America's greatest living and most versatile historian.

There is a lot of good to be said about this book, unfortunately it mostly has to do with data and info that is over fifty years old. The story of the London Underground, the Paris Metro and the New York subways is great especially as it pertains to the trials and tribulations of getting these systems built. It is hard to tell what was more of a problem, the political or engineering, but most probably the political.

The descriptions of the engineering problems and how they were solved is also well worth reading but the last chapters are in major need of revision. Bobrick singles out the NYC system for being old, dirty and graffittied; this does not take into account all of the work that has been done on the system in the last twenty years. His complaints about the troubles with the 'new' automated systems in San Francisco (BART) and Washington DC. These systems are now some of the most up-to-date and well run systems in the world.

If you decide to read this book, skip the last chapter.