Mail Obsession
A Journey Round Britain by Postcode
Published on 6. October 2016
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
978-1-78022-833-4 (ISBN)
Description
'FASCINATING' Daily Mail
'FULL OF AMAZING FACTS' The QI Elves
Each of the United Kingdom's 124 postcode areas has a story to tell, an unexpected nugget to dust off and treasure.
Mark Mason has embarked on a tour of the country, immersing himself in Britain's history on a roundabout journey from AB to ZE. On the lookout for interesting place names and unusual monuments, along the way he discovers what the Queen keeps in her handbag, why the Jack Russell has a white coat and how Jimi Hendrix got confused by the M1.
At the same time Mason paints an affectionate portrait of Britain in the 21st century, from aggressive seagulls in Blackpool to 'seasoned' drinkers in Surrey. And his travels offer the perfect opportunity to delve into the history of the Royal Mail, complete with pillar boxes, posties and Penny Reds - plus Oscar Wilde's unconventional method of posting a letter.
A playful mix of fact, anecdote and overheard conversation, MAIL OBSESSION pays homage to Britain's wonderful past and its curious present.
'FULL OF AMAZING FACTS' The QI Elves
Each of the United Kingdom's 124 postcode areas has a story to tell, an unexpected nugget to dust off and treasure.
Mark Mason has embarked on a tour of the country, immersing himself in Britain's history on a roundabout journey from AB to ZE. On the lookout for interesting place names and unusual monuments, along the way he discovers what the Queen keeps in her handbag, why the Jack Russell has a white coat and how Jimi Hendrix got confused by the M1.
At the same time Mason paints an affectionate portrait of Britain in the 21st century, from aggressive seagulls in Blackpool to 'seasoned' drinkers in Surrey. And his travels offer the perfect opportunity to delve into the history of the Royal Mail, complete with pillar boxes, posties and Penny Reds - plus Oscar Wilde's unconventional method of posting a letter.
A playful mix of fact, anecdote and overheard conversation, MAIL OBSESSION pays homage to Britain's wonderful past and its curious present.
Reviews / Votes
An entertaining read * DAILY EXPRESS * Beginning his adventure at the Watford Gap service station - the very first such station on one of the country's first motorways, the M1, [Mason] set off in the pleasant pursuit of idle trivia ... this book a source of endless delight. -- Jane Shilling * DAILY MAIL 'Must Reads' * Awesome - full of amazing facts -- The QI Elves Fascinating * DAILY MAIL * Turns up trivia at every stop * BBC RADIO 4 * Fantastic stuff * BBC LONDON * Almost every page contains at least one thing that you'll be itching to startle your friends with * READER'S DIGEST * Mason is an entertaining companion * WANDERLUST * All sorts of knowledge * CHOICE * Intriguing tales * EAST ANGLIAN DAILY TIMES *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Orion Publishing Co
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 128 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
268 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78022-833-4 (9781780228334)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
10/2015
Weidenfeld & Nicolson
€5.99
Available for download
Person
Mark Mason is a lover of trivia, the 'little facts that slip down the back of life's sofa'. Before becoming a writer, he sold Christmas cards in Harrods, played guitar in a blues band, and made radio programmes for the BBC. His other books include The Importance of Being Trivial, Walk the Lines and Move Along, Please.