'Going Underground. The Black Country'

[Joe Duxbury]

I've come across a catalogue with this book in it, published by Amberley in 2024. According to the blurb, it 'explores ... mineshafts; caves; ... canal and railway tunnels; secret passageways ... ; caverns beneath Dudley Zoo'. Have any of you read it? Is it worth getting?

 

[LJR]

I have not read the book but there is loads of stuff under the zoo. Canal tunnels, limestone mines and probably railway tunnels. Google “singing cavern”.

 

[mikem]

Only review on Amazon: "The author clearly knows his stuff, but the book is a disappointment. The font is miniscule and not even black, so very difficult to read in anything other than excellent light. But he photos are the biggest disappointment - they are mostly of terrible composition, and many are completely unrelated to the text on the relevant page. The latter part of the book includes numerous photos of wholly uninteresting empty fields where a collieries might once have been."

There are a few more in the series (not all done by him):

Search results for: 'Going Underground' - Amberley Publishing

The fastest-growing Transport, Military, Local & General History publisher in the UK. Amberley Publishing provides a fresh approach to regional and general history.

www.amberley-books.com

 

[Joe Duxbury]

Only review on Amazon: "The author clearly knows his stuff, but the book is a disappointment. The font is miniscule and not even black, so very difficult to read in anything other than excellent light. But he photos are the biggest disappointment - they are mostly of terrible composition, and many are completely unrelated to the text on the relevant page. The latter part of the book includes numerous photos of wholly uninteresting empty fields where a collieries might once have been."

Thanks, Mikem. I think I'll give this one a miss, then!

 

[mikem]

Of course it may have locations that you don't know about

 

[Cantclimbtom]

Of course it may have locations that you don't know about

Agree
Depends if you're reading for literary pleasure, or hunting for leads

 

[mikem]

No reviews yet for his other two, but Martyn Taylor gets:
"Fascinating Insight into Real and Fictitious Underground Workings -Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 September 2022
Clearly and informatively written and bang up to date, even mentioning former work colleagues and buildings/past events I am familiar with. Excellent images and Historical notes: a 'must' for all lovers of Bury St Edmunds."

Paul L. Dawson got a recent review in Yorkshire Post, but it's behind a paywall:

Underground Wakefield: The secret world which is the final resting place of revolutionaries

Beneath the surface of a Yorkshire city lies a hidden world which takes the traveller to the final resting place of revolutionaries.

www.yorkshirepost.co.uk

Plus:

Going Underground: Edinburgh by Jan-Andrew Henderson: Undiscovered Scotland Book Review

Going Underground: Edinburgh by Jan-Andrew Henderson: Undiscovered Scotland Book Review.

www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk

 

[RobinGriffiths]

You can get it here for £11.99 if that softens the blow

Going Underground: The Black Country by Poulton-Smith, Anthony (9781398116221) | Browns Books

brownsbfs.co.uk