London Underground: Architecture, Design and History, David Long with photographs by Jane Magarigal (The History Press, Stroud, 2011) 144pp., hardback, £18.99, ISBN 978 0 7524 5812 0

London Underground has been the exemplar the world over for the construction and management of tubes.  David Long has added this volume to his other well respected studies of London institutions.  He examines Frank Pick's (1878-1941) vision through the development of Metroland to Holden's innovative designs, the abundance of characters involved (some good, some bad), design firsts and brand identity.  All of this is interesting and competently recorded but what makes the book memorable are Jane Magarigal's atmospheric photographs.  They will produce nostalgia in older Londoners but on any count the designs are absolutely outstanding and Jane Magarigal travelled hundreds of miles exploring one stop after another.

The book looks deceptively simple but constitutes a significant effort by author and photographer.  It is a lasting memento of a great British institution.