Do Not Pass Go: From the Old Kent Road to Mayfair by Tim Moore

Do Not Pass Go: From the Old Kent Road to Mayfair Reviews

• 
  Robert

  A look at the 28 addresses on the UK Monopoly board. This book was written in 2002, so it's an interesting snapshot of London after the neoliberal 90s, but before the last 15 years of real-estate feeding frenzy. (It's also a snapshot of humor writing from 2002, which can be a bit much). Moore shares the history of all the places he visited, sometimes going back to the Roman era, with special emphasis on how they would have looked and felt to a visitor in the mid 1930s, when the UK version of monopoly was developed. Do Not Pass Go is full of facts and history, and is great for provoking further research into the history of London. At times the author is clearly trying too hard to provoke a laugh, but even the clunkier chapters were full of history and lore, & I kept reading despite Moore's cringier attempts at 'humor'. The "Advance to Go", "Free Parking", & "Mr Monopoly" chapters stood out as my favorites. Finally this book has whet my appetite for board games and also a working public transit system.
• 
  Frank Jacobs

  Highly original or tediously convoluted, opinion is firmly split on this book – but one thing is for sure: Tim Moore's attempt at dissecting the British capital by exploring the streets on its Monopoly board does provide the tired trope of the London guidebook with a never-used-before angle, and because of this sheds some new light on the city, all of which could have been a bit more enjoyable if Mr. Moore had employed less of his ample talent trying to live up to that damning epithet splashed across the front of the book: “The new Bill Bryson”.
• 
  Andrew

  As a former London guide & permanent Londoner with deep roots in Southwark, I loved this clever and amusing tour of London streets & locations by a celebrated & satrirical travel writer.
  Although London has changed beyond many of our instant recognitions, this 2002 book captures some of the constant change that shows London as both a historical city with millions of stories to tell & a progressive, modern metropolis, a magnet for refugees, immigrants & misfits bringing new ideas, energies & cultures. Twenty years on, London is bursting with human & animal life.
  Tim Moore uses the legendary 'Monopoly' board as a driving force behind a highly-entertaining 340 pages, as he hops & jumps here & there, following the age-old game's odd, property choices when first 'Londonised' in the late 1920s, with so many children of my 'boomer' generation growing-up with the intricacies of London's most famous landmarks & thoroughfares. From Old Kent Road to Mayfair, with 4 railway termini, Free Parking & 'Go To Jail'...not to mention 'Community Chest' & the plastic houses and hotels...top hat, battleship, & terrier!
  Moore brings these places to life again with all kinds of wry & pungent observations, nostalgic anecdotes & his own adolescent memories...so many notions about the complex whys & wherefores of London's unique streets & pavements...& the variety people who walked them in an era when so much was changing with the railways (under the ground too!), bloody motor cars, the ruthless, malign property developers & the eternal array of eccentrics, madmen (& madwomen too!) & so many people realising that the streets were not paved with gold....but that there were ways & means to make a pound or two! Nothing has changed there then!
  One of the best reads about my manor...London!...& the fact that I was saying to myself 'I didn't know that!' so often, is recommendation enough for any Londonophile seeking some esoteric facts about why this city still draws millions of visitors & trillions of pounds, dollars &...ahem!...EUuros! You can't collect £200 though!...you are on your way to jail! (Joke!).
• 
  Sammi

  I've always loved playing Monopoly (I think we have at least four different versions!) and have been meaning to read this for a while.
  I enjoyed all the references to the game, including bits of its history, and even more all the associated fascinating facts - I’ve been to London many times, but still learnt a great deal from reading this.
  My only criticism is in the writing, which felt a little hyperbolic at times (possibly just more old-fashioned than I’m used to?)
  Definitely worth a read if you’re a fan of the game and/or interested in knowing a bit more about London; and it left me with a smile on my face!
• 
  Gillian

  Great if you like Monopoly, London, history and humour. Would read again
• 
  Mark Sohn

  An interesting tour of London's streets as featured on the game of Monopoly. Lots of facts, a fair few smiles and laughs along the way. Not QUITE as much fun as 'You Are Awful - But I like You' by the same Author, but still worth the candle.
• 
  Bryony

  A great read but would love to see a revised version with illustrations to save me looking places up online every 5 minutes!!!!
• 
  James

  I don't think I was aware of this Tim Moore work so discovering it was a welcome surprise, although I don't consider it his best. As is his signature, he combines a wacky reason for writing a travelogue with interesting history in a humorous manner, but there wasn't the variety of experiences that made his better books more entertaining.
  
  The premise was to walk the roads on the UK Monopoly board, as well as visiting stations, a jail and utilities. To his credit, he does at least arrange interviews with people who work at Lots Road power station and retail associations, which at least means it isn't just his musings as he walks around. But some of his escapades (especially in the yellows) felt a bit flat, and failed to live up to the early peak of social awkwardness with a transvestite prostitute. The writing itself wasn't as funny as many of his other books, and could have done with some pictures of the grander houses he was describing, as the number of buildings he talked about surely dwarfs the number most people can recall. Yet strangely the TV series seems a bit too slow based on the few minutes I could tolerate on Youtube, in which the most notable feature is Moore sporting earrings and also a nerd's backpack.
  
  The good thing about this book was that it stuck to the Monopoly theme and didn't become another history of London, but with a level of research well beyond the minimum required for an unorthodox jaunt. He seems to have a level of enthusiasm for sad male things that meant the earrings were such a shock, but the stories are rarely dry. Unfortunately, they are just a bit similar to each other, and I preferred other Tour of London books in sailing boats and underground trains even if I did learn a lot during his feud with Modernist and automobile fans Harold Clunn.
• 
  Julia

  I really wanted to like this. It starts with one of my favorite premises for a travel book, after all: "propose some silly/obscure/geeky/nerdy reason to go exploring; do so; mix description of travels liberally with humor and local history (preferably also silly/obscure/geeky/nerdy); come up with some hidden truth surfaced by the seemingly silly reason".
  
  This prompt rests on three main legs: silly/geeky motivation, humorous narrative, and an abundance of history. And while Do Not Pass Go does contain all three of these items, it still failed to please, for one very basic reason.
  
  I didn't find it funny. In fact, I found it repellant.
  
  Oh, I could see where the author was "being humorous" - he was indeed very liberal with it. Unfortunately, I didn't think his humor was funny. It all seemed very snide and mean-spirited, too often based on sneering insults thrown in, usually in the form of brief, unflattering descriptors about the person or place. Though they are often no more than a word long - a single adjective - their constant drip into the narrative gave it a prevadingly condescending, determinedly grumpy, supercilious flavor.
  
  In short, the only reason I gave it two stars instead of one is that it was too competently written to merit that lowest rating. I do not recommend you read this, and I will be removing any other books by this author from my "want to read" list.
• 
  Gavin Felgate

  This was my fourth read of this book, and I think the reason why I kept wanting to return to it was because of Tim Moore's illustration of London, specifically by visiting every location on the standard British Monopoly board.
  
  Moore has been rightfully compared to Bill Bryson, because the book is littered with anecdotes, usually quite self-deprecating, about his visits to different locations, which are filled with Bryson's style of humour mixed with complete bafflement. My favourite of these anecdotes is in the final chapter, and involves a misunderstanding while attempting to purchase jellied eels, which ends in him making a fool of himself.
  
  The rest of the book is filled with historical information, which is mixed with the same humour as the rest of the book. Plus, there are his observations as to how things have changed significantly since the game was originally produced, as well as comments about how some of the choices of streets and locations are a little unusual. Maybe someone should do this for the American version of Monopoly.
• 
  Asta S.

  An amazing read. I learned about London, Monopoly, and so much more. I found it fascinating how choosing a particular time can help you look at a location through that lens, and compare it to what came before and afterwards. Just like the game is filled with highs and lows, so is the book. I was also dismayed at how much of London was leveled in the name of misguided progress. I also chuckled at Moore’s escapades. Highly recommended for history buffs, armchair travelers, and those looking for adventure off the beaten path.
• 
  James Traxler

  3.5 stars.
  A history book about London - hanging off the framework of Monopoly, the boardgame.
  Quite amusing in places.
  Many interesting facts are contained therein.
  
  In a several places, Mr. Moore scribes some lovely turns of phrase, e.g.
  "Fingers were at work on the celestial dimmer switch, but as dawn became morn it wasn't getting any warmer."
  "shards of black plastic and pirouetting Duracells" (about a transistor radio that falls to the ground and smashes)
  "...I was already feeling the wayward tetchiness of a toddler in Tesco's".
• 
  Robert Newell

  A fun and interesting lap around the streets on the Monopoly board. The researched history is fascinating and adventures made me laugh out loud at times
  
  In London I have always been rushing from one place to another, rarely stopping to look around. I’d realised I’d been on many of these streets but couldn’t remember the buildings or features. This book has inspired me to do my own Monopoly adventure one day, but to take time to look around at the buildings, streets and history.
• 
  Gary Jones

  Some interesting facts about the Monopoly places, that could have done with being summarised at the end, so that I could learn them!
  
  Some of the sections with historical references were a bit tough going, but well worth it. The personal bits were more enjoyable than the life and times bits.
  
  Worth a read of you have a fancy in Monopoly (you'll like the ideas for game rule variations at the start of the book!) or in the places they represent.
• 
  Mark

  Moore lives one of my childhood dreams - touring the Monopoly board.
  
  While I've now, in adulthood, visited most of the places found on the classic British board, Moore delves much deeper into their history than I ever have, and does so with a Brysonesque charm.
• 
  Edward Warner

  No surprise: the Monopoly gameboard Americans hold dear is different in the U.K., being based instead on London neighborhoods and streets -- hence, no Boardwalk, but hello Mayfair. For Jail, you've Pentonville Prison with all British graciousness on offer.
  
  The differences may confuse those raised on the American Monopoly board, but what a great way to experience London, as the always-funny Moore rolls the dice, lifts a card and then journeys to that street or neighborhood, offering its history and a taste of what it's like today (or at least circa late 1990s). I've read nearly all he's written, and for fans of Moore and Anglophiles generally, you can't Pass Go or this book.
• 
  Caroline

  Well, now I am just going to have to read every other book he wrote. What a fantastic read! Informative, whacky and funny in equal doses. Absolutely loved it.
• 
  Taras

  abandoned without completing. Too boring and dated. attempt at humour is commendable, but doesn't make reading any less tedious.
• 
  John Upton

  Good concept but it's a bit dated.
• 
  RJC

  Interesting history of Londonfor the 1930s onwards, it does try a little too hard to be funny at times. Enjoyable.
• 
  Melanie Williams

  Interesting information about London, but the humour is not my cup of tea.