Walk the Lines: The London Underground, Overground by Mark Mason Presentation copy inscribed & signed by the author on the title page thus: "To Michelle, Best wishes, Mark Mason"; Randon House Books 2011 1st ed/6th printing, 376pp., text generally in decent order albeit with slight browning to pages & to the page extremities at the very top, side & bottom, slight bumping & rubbing to board corners & to the top of boards - a bit heavier to the sides & bottom of both boards & heavier still to the top & bottom of the spine, elsewhere both boards & spine a bit marked, the dust jacket has slight internal & external browning, is a bit rubbed & creased at top & bottom with creasing to the top & bottom of the spine, front cover slightly marked, rear more so. As a lifelong fan of London, Mark Mason embarks on a mission to 'conquer' the capital once and for all. The only way to truly discover a city, they say, is on foot. Taking this to extremes, Mark sets out to walk the entire length of the London Underground - overground - passing every station on the way. Over the course of several hundred miles, he comes to understand a sprawling metropolis that never ceases to surprise. In a story packed with historical trivia, personal musings and eavesdropped conversations, Mark learns how to get the best gossip in a City pub, how the Ritz made its female guests feel good about themselves, and why the Bank of England won't let you join the M11 northbound at Junction 5. He has an East End cup of tea with the Krays' official biographer, discovers what cabbies mean by 'on the cotton', and meets the Archers star who was the voice of 'Mind the Gap'. On a broader level, Mark contemplates London's contradictions as well as its charms. He gains insights into our fascination with maps and sees how walking changes our view of the world. Above all, in this love letter to a complicated friend, he celebrates the sights, sounds and soul of the greatest city on earth. Will ship by Royal Mail 1st Class Signed for, well packaged. (£5.99/shawn)