'Authoritative and beautifully laid out, this is the most attractive, comprehensive and easily digestible history of the oldest railway system in the world' - Michael Palin

'Completely masterful. A lifetime of railway love distilled into a most beautiful volume. This is the book that Bradley was born to write' - Lucy Worsley

'An intriguing and innovative approach to railway history, bringing to life many forgotten aspects of how the railways changed the world. From rails to racism, stamps to stations, even the most erudite rail enthusiast will find something new in this comprehensive history' - Christian Wolmar

'Praise for The Railways: 'Magisterial ... both authoritative and absorbing. A first class journey' - Michael Palin

'Bradley's loving tribute to the golden age of the railway is a magnificent achievement ... A gorgeous Christmas pudding of a book ... So colourful, so rich and engaging, that even if you don't like railways you should love it' - Dominic Sandbrook