The London Underground is a pioneer and an institution. The first underground railway in the world, and incorporating the first ever deep tunnel `tube` lines too, it is at the heart of London life, with millions of commuters and tourists using it every year and its tentacles extending into the suburbs it helped to create. Its turbulent history reflects the trials and tribulations of London itself: it provided a network of life-saving shelters in the Blitz, but has also faced many logistical challenges, with constant improvements necessary to keep the Tube fit for purpose. This book is not a recompilation of facts and photos published elsewhere, however. Taking a fresh approach, it is a history that focuses on the interesting and quirky aspects of the subject. To transport you more vividly back to the past, well over half the illustrations are in colour, including many rarely seen photographs.