Labyrinths of Iron, a History of the World's Subways
T is the story of the world's subways, This told as never before. Within its epic sweep are found heroic adventures, spectacular engineering feats, bitter disappointments, madness, intrigue, and death. A remarkable cast of characters- noble, cynical, corrupt-play out their strangely intertwining roles as a legend and dream is gradually realized in iron and steel.
The story originates in the remote mists of antiquity, with the colossal road tunnels of the Romans, the gold mines of Egypt, and the ancient mythology of the Underworld. It comes into sharp focus with the crisis of the cities precipitated by the Industrial Revolution. From London to Paris to New York, the fabled idea became a reality, and then spread to virtually every other major city of the world. Today, the building of subways is, collectively, perhaps the largest public works project in history-an international phenomenon that touches the lives of billions of people. As the tunnels and stations proliferate on an ever larger scale, a brave new world of energy-efficient underground cities and homes comes into view-with profound and troubling questions for our future.
In a work richly diversified by original research and full of previously ungathered information, the author also traces the story into surprising areas: the subway's relation to art, its use in wartime, its psychological impact, and the breathtaking archaeological discoveries its builders unearthed.
The many illustrations further enliven this history of one of the most ingenious engineering feats of man-the underground railway systems of the world.
Hardback with dust jacket, 16x24cm, 352 pages, black & white photographs
Condition: Good with some soiling to DJ
ISBN: 9780882252995
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