Three Men and a Bradshaw

By John George FreemanF

(RRandom House, 3 84 pages, £16.99) ThisT book collects together th he diaries of John Freeman, tr ravelling with his two b rothers (hence the “Three Men”M in the title), and their trustytr Bradshaw’s Descriptive Railway Hand-book.

As a daily railway commuter and a genealogist with an interest in history, I was especially attracted to this. As it’s made up of the personal diaries and sketches of John Freeman, the reader gets a uniquely descriptive account of the railway journey itself, the areas visited and an insight into the Victorian way of life. The addition of explanatory footnotes helps to describe some of the lesser-known terms used, which provides an educational slant to the book in addition to the pleasure of reading the diaries.

Anyone who may live in the areas that are covered in this book, or have visited the locations as tourists themselves, will find it particularly entertaining, and will be able to identify easily with the descriptions in the diary because of the clarity with which they are written.

I would recommend the book from a social history aspect, as well as giving an insight into your Victorian ancestors and their lives.

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