Iain Spragg

Ever since it opened in 1863, the London Underground has helped to transport billions of travelers all over Greater London. Iain Spagg’s London Underground’s Strangest Tales provides a chronological collection of tidbits, asides, and goofball stories to help tell a different story of the train line’s history. While many of the chapters are interesting, coincidental, or historical, they aren’t really strange. Don’t get me wrong, the information presented here is fun and useful for a show more lot of trivia contests (like, for instance, only two people has ever been transported on the Tube on their way to be buried: Prime Minister William Gladstone and philanthropist Thomas Barnado). The writing is jovial and breezy and you can whiz through this book in a few hours, but don’t expect to be regaled with tales of intrigue and sensationalism. A quick and fun book. show less

London's Strangest Tales, Historic Palaces - Extraordinary But True Stories by Iain Spragg is just that, a collection of short but true stories from history. Told in chronological order, the tales come from London's five historic palaces: the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, the Banqueting House, Kew Palace and Kensington Palace.

Commencing in 1078, the tales take us through history up until 2013, but in my opinion didn't really live up to the title claiming they were 'extraordinary'. show more Don't get me wrong, some of the stories were interesting - cardinal spiders at Hampton Court Palace - however many I'd read before (or learned about in documentaries) and others were clearly hyped up for inclusion in this collection.

I'd recommend London's Strangest Tales - Historic Palaces by Iain Spragg for younger readers as an easy introduction to history in London, and to perhaps ignite a desire to learn more.

For devotees of documentaries, and readers of history and historical fiction, you may want to give this one a miss. show less

As a New Yorker who rode the subway every day for 25 years, I developed a love/hate relationship with it. I was curious to learn how Londoners feel about their Tube. London Underground’s Strangest Tales did not disappoint me. Stories ranged from the history of various stations to the role of the Underground during World War II’s London Blitz to urban legends to commuter quirks. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who is interested in trains, London, and history. For show more added enjoyment, read it the subway, the loop, the T, the metro, or on your own town’s subway. show less

Very interesting collection of unusual and little known facts about the most well known royal palaces. Fun to read, will leave you laughing at times, and raising an eyebrow at other times.