Synopses & Reviews
A gorgeously illustrated collection of the world's greatest railway maps and posters, historical and contemporary Transit Maps of the World was an extraordinary and unexpected success and is now a cult favorite. In his irresistible follow-up Mark Ovenden has produced a mesmerizing compendium of historical and contemporary railway maps and posters from every corner of the world. Hundreds of images, covering two centuries of railway advertising, surveyors' plans, travel posters, satellite photos, and station wall maps, are combined with text brimming with vivid historical details and charming anecdotes.
Part One presents the stunning visual material chronologically, from the Liverpool and Manchester Railway of 1830 to the proposed 2020 high speed networks of China. Part Two is an atlas of maps from more than one hundred countries from Algeria to Argentina to Zambia and Zimbabwe. Appendixes include a trove of factoids, track stats and information about rail operators and rail museums. Railway Maps of the World is a visual delight for your eyes, making it a must have for every train fanatic-armchair or ticketed-history buff, and lover of graphic design.
Review
"Ovenden does what no other design history book has ever done.
Transit Maps of the World is a must-have"
-The New York Times Book Review
"Fantastic"
-LA Times
"The perfect book"
-USA Today
"pure catnip"
-William Grimes, The New York Times
"This book is the stuff that dreams are made of"
-Newsday
"A fabulous collection. These maps are almost works of art, and can kindle a remembrance of a past trip or a dream of a future journey"
-Seattle Times
"Impossibly nerdy and thoroughly compelling"
-Kansas City Star
"This is the kind of book that would be incredibly fun to browse with kids as part of a world geography investigation--and also the sort of thing that makes great bedtime reading if you want to salt your dreams with the possibility of travel to distant cities. Sheer public transit/map porn!"
-Boingboing.com
"Fascinating"
-Peter Greenberg, National Public Radio
"Even if you are not a "map person" this book makes it so easy to experience the unique perspective of rail-based transit. Artistically a treat with its interesting colors, shapes and design; it's a coffee table essential. Ovenden brings a unique perspective to maps and to travel in general. Transit Maps of the World is a must-read for the literary traveller"
-Literary Traveller.com
"A vibrant tip of the hat to the world's urban train systems"
-National Geographic Intelligent Traveller
"...look no further for the next must-have book"
-Very Short List
"The sort of book you couldn't imagine you needed until you got it and now you can't imagine how you could do without it . . . It's fantastic!"
-Robert Elms, BBC London
"Like a CondT Nast Traveler magazine for jetsetters with subterranean tendencies."
-Metro
"Delightful."
-The Guardian, London
"A beautifully illustrated study of the plans that help passengers navigate the world's metropolitan railway systems."
-The Times, London
"An object lesson in information design."
-Wallpaper
Synopsis
The delectable follow up to Transit Maps of the Worldandmdash; with a French twistA word-of- mouth sensation, Transit Maps of the World garnered rave reviews and offered delicious eye-candy to the many who devoured its lusciously designed pages. In Paris Underground, Mark Ovenden turns his attention to the famous Paris transit system with its inimitable Art Nouveau inspired stations and Art Deco signage. More than one thousand maps, diagrams, and photographsandmdash;historical and currentandmdash;along with fascinating factual tidbits and enthusiastic, informed commentary embellish this gorgeous cultural history of the Mandeacute;troandrsquo;s design and construction. Transit buffs, Francophiles, and anyone who appreciates beautiful design are sure to make Paris Underground the seasonandrsquo;s must-have volume.
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Synopsis
Transit Maps of the World is the first and only comprehensive collection of historic and current maps of every rapid-transit system on earth. Using glorious, colorful graphics, Mark Ovenden traces the history of mass transit-including rare and historic maps, diagrams, and photographs, some available for the first time since their original publication.
Transit Maps is the graphic designer's new bible, the transport enthusiast's dream collection, and a coffee-table essential for everyone who's ever traveled in a city.
Synopsis
The delectable follow up to Transit Maps of the Worldandmdash; with a French twistA word-of- mouth sensation, Transit Maps of the World garnered rave reviews and offered delicious eye-candy to the many who devoured its lusciously designed pages. In Paris Underground, Mark Ovenden turns his attention to the famous Paris transit system with its inimitable Art Nouveau inspired stations and Art Deco signage. More than one thousand maps, diagrams, and photographsandmdash;historical and currentandmdash;along with fascinating factual tidbits and enthusiastic, informed commentary embellish this gorgeous cultural history of the Mandeacute;troandrsquo;s design and construction. Transit buffs, Francophiles, and anyone who appreciates beautiful design are sure to make Paris Underground the seasonandrsquo;s must-have volume.
Watch a Video
About the Author
Mark Ovenden is a British writer and broadcaster. At the age of seven, he traveled alone ten miles on the London Underground, armed only with a map. He later gained entry to a Graphic Design course by submitting a reworking of the London tube map. After working in journalism and media, life came full circle on the publication of his first book, TRANSIT MAPS OF THE WORLD. He lives in Paris, France, and London, England.
Praise for TRANSIT MAPS OF THE WORLD:
andldquo;More than impressive. Ovenden does what no other design history book has ever done.andrdquo;and#160; andmdash;William Grimes, New York Times
andldquo;This is sheer public transit/map porn, and I'm in love.andrdquo; andmdash;Boing Boing
andldquo;Fantastic and oddballandhellip; includes every urban train map on the planet, along with thumbnail histories of the systems themselves.andrdquo; andmdash;LA Times
andldquo;A fabulous collection of historical and contemporary transit maps [that] can kindle a remembrance of a past trip or a dream of a future journey.andrdquo; andmdash;Seattle Times
andldquo;A vibrant 144-page tip of the hat to the worldandrsquo;s urban train systems. From the unusual Hamburg diagram, which lacks curves, to the pitchfork prongs of Buenos Aires, Ovenden navigates the history of maps...Lovelyandrdquo; andmdash;National Geographic
andldquo;Pure catnipandrdquo; andmdash;New York Magazine
andldquo;This book is the stuff that dreams are made of.andrdquo; andmdash;Newsday
andldquo;Forandhellip;urban transit freaks and fans comes the perfect book.andrdquo; andmdash;USA Today
andldquo;For the public transportation nut.andrdquo; andmdash;Washington Post
Praise for PARIS UNDERGROUND:
andldquo;This lovely book will have you scanning the Web for round-trip tickets to Paris, just so you can ride around below the earth.andrdquo; andmdash;New York Times