For those who are interested in British railway history I can recommend Simon Bradley's book The Railways, Nation, Network & People.

It is a mine of information on the historical, social and cultural impact that railways have had in Britain. Not for rivet counters it is an easy, knowledgeable and enteretaining read full of cultural references.

I'll quote from the blurb on the cover. "So colourful, so rich and engaging, that even if you don't like railways you should love it". Voted Sunday Times History Book of the Year 2015, Daily Mail Book of the Year 2015 and Spectator Book of the Year 2015.

I'd say that if you like Bill Bryson then you would like this book.