Rush Hour

'Gately's book makes the journey worthwhile with many entertaining anecdotes and surprising facts' TLS. 'Gately has created a riveting look at how new-fangled steam-powered transport in the 19th century progressed commuting from an experience considered as futuristic as private space travel to commonplace ritual for more than half a billion people around the world' Daily Mail. 'Having been a long-distance commuter, I enjoyed Gately's book, which includes little gems such as why the British have always been silent commuters. Counter-intuitively, he believes that commuting is a good thing. It signifies social progress, as people have used their freedom to travel to better themselves. Worth remembering as you sit fuming on the delayed 7.14am from Leeds to York' Times Higher Education. 'Mr Gately is a good travelling companion - especially if you can find a seat' Economist. 'A lively history ... Gately has done commuters a real service: he can't make the journeys shorter, but he makes them more interesting' Mail on Sunday. 'An entertaining study ... Rush Hour is never less than interesting, pacey and rattling with trivia' The Times. 'I loved this book's generosity and curiosity about daily life and the people stuck in it. Anyone who commutes would find their journey to work enlivened and enlightened by it' Joe Moran, Guardian (Book of the Week). 'An entertaining social history of life in the rush hour' Independent. 'Colourful, engaging and hugely enjoyable' The Sunday Times.