Fire & Steam cover art

Fire & Steam

A New History of the Railways in Britain

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Fire & Steam

By: Christian Wolmar
Narrated by: Christian Wolmar
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About this listen

 The opening of the pioneering Liverpool & Manchester Railway in 1830 marked the beginning of the railway network's vital role in changing the face of Britain.

Fire & Steam celebrates the vision of the ambitious Victorian pioneers who developed this revolutionary transport system and the navvies who cut through the land to enable a country-wide railway to emerge.

From the early days of steam to electrification, via the railways' magnificent contribution in two world wars, the chequered history of British Rail and the buoyant future of the train, Fire & Steam examines the importance of the railway and how it helped to form the Britain of today.

©2007 Christian Wolmar (P)2008 Soundings Engineering Europe Great Britain Military World Railroad England War United Kingdom

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Critic reviews

"A beautifully written, detailed (but never anoraky) history of two centuries of life on the iron road." ( Telegraph)
"An excellent book." ( Independent)
"It is written in a brisk, down-to-earth style (a favourite adjective is "daft"), and is enjoyably replete with bizarre details" ( Guardian)
All stars
Most relevant  
Christian Wolmar is a renowned railway historian and fan of the iron road. This is an excellent listen but the reading could been better. Wolmar's reading is fine but at a breatheless pace. It is more Auden's Night Mail than Flanders & Swann Slow Train. It is read like an express train with no halting at passing stations (between chapters). But don't let that put you off hearing this book.

A good book on the history of the railways

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As the granddaughter of a signalman this book has a special magic for me, placing the railway at the focus of Britain from its origins to the present day. The remarkable place of trains in the lives of the working population of Britain, from commuting, to fresh food transport, to the beginning of the holiday leisure industry, and the fellowship of trade associations and trades unions, is really brought to life (including the sexism of the industry). 'Narrated by the author' really adds to this experience, as Christian Wolmar is clearly fired by the subjects he has written about. A really good buy.

The Magic of the Railway

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Excellent book, especially for those like me starting to delve into the history of British railways. Loved the author's narration. Just wish he could do more. An in depth look at the 50s and 60s, please!!!!

Very interesting

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I?ve always been a `railway enthusiast` ever since my school days, but not as much for the technical gauge?s and measurements, specs and performance, but more so for the love of the `thing` itself, the railways? This book is fantastically arranged and pieced together, offering a perfect account of the history of the railways merged with the explanations behind why we have the system we have today, who was responsible and why. The author self-reads this title, and his voice is compelling and alluring, you feel the man really did love the topic and that his whole heart and sole has gone into this one. and it really has. I would easily listen to this again and highly recommend to anyone, be they just wanting an overview from their beginnings to now, or a true railway enthusiast.

Fascinating & Compelling

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I love this book, you can tell it it written (and narrated) by an enthusiast. There is lots for a railway newbie, probably not enough for a true trainspotter? I found Christians' narrration hard to listen to at first, but after a while it grew on me, and I now think that it is a shame that so many male narrators sound the same! The only disapointment for me was that there is a lack of technical info, there is not very much that explains how the engines worked, and how they were improved, for me there is prehaps a little too much emphasis on the polictics and people. That said it is still very accomplished. Worth it if you have ever wondered about the history of our railways.

A gem

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The story is excellent and well worth listening to. Whilst the author clearly knows his subject vey well indeed I believe the audible version would have been even better if read by a professional reader. However, don’t let this put you off, the reader will soon get used to the authors reading style and the enjoyment will be in the content.

Excellent book

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The content is generally ok, though some criticisms of policy etc. are the author's opinions rather than pure fact. The narration is only just adequate & the author should have considered engaging a professional reader.

Good overall survey

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An excellent book. Tells the development of the railways in both a chronological and logical way. It explains the importance of railways in the history of Britain with fascinating glimpses into the past and future. Brilliantly read by the author whose joy and enthusiasm is infectious. Is a book for everyone not just train enthusiasts.

Never knew trains could be so interesting

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A very good book and as usual when an audiobook is read by the author, it is just that little bit more engaging
I would thougherly recommended this for us Trainspotters and for the uninfected. as well. 10/10

Very good book

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Yep gave it all away in the title. If you are like me then you will probably like this book, if you're not a steam nut then you will definitely like this book.

A reasonably detailed look at the rise, fall, rise and fall again of the British railway system, including the shocking politically motivated and inept way that the railway was privatised, could it have been done in a worse way?

Mr Wolmar narrates well despite the odd stumble(we're all human) and his passion shows.

I found this a wonderful accompaniment to my four mile walk home from work and have listened to this more times than I care to remember and will listen again.

I'm a steam nut!

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