Do Not Pass Go
📘 About This Book
A book that tells the story of London since the thirties through the 28 streets, stations and utililties of the Monopoly board. In the wonderful world of Monopoly it still only cost -50 to buy a house in Islington, you can move around London with the shake of a dice and even park your car for free. In Do Not Pass Go Tim Moore, belying his reputation as a player who always paid that -10 fine rather than take a Chance, fearlessly tackles the real thing and along the way tells the story of a game and the city that frames it. Sampling the rags and the riches he stays in a hotel in Mayfair and one in the Old Kent Road, enjoys quality time with Dr Crippen in Pentonville Prison and even winds up at the wrong end of the Water Works pipe. And, solving all the mysteries you'll have pondered whilst languishing in jail and many other you certainly wouldn't, Tim Moore reveals how Pall Mall got its name, which three addresses you won't find in your A-Z and why the sorry cul-de-sac that is Vine Street has a special place in the heart of Britain's most successful Monopoly champion. The stirring travelogue of one man's erratic progress around those 28 streets, stations and utilities, Do Not Pass Go is also an epic and lovingly researched history of London's wayward progress in the 66 years since the launch of the world's most popular board game
📖 Summary
Do Not Pass Go by Tim Moore is an engaging and witty exploration of London's history, culture, and urban evolution from the 1930s onward, all viewed through the unique prism of the classic Monopoly board. Spanning 356 pages, the book follows the author as he tackles the real-life equivalents of the twenty-eight streets, stations, and utilities that make up the famous game. Rather than simply relying on his reputation as a cautious player who would always pay the ten-shilling fine rather than draw a Chance card, Moore fearlessly immerses himself in the physical reality of the board. Along the way, he paints a vivid portrait of a game and the sprawling city that frames it, contrasting the nostalgic fantasy of the tabletop world with the gritty, changing landscape of modern London. The book brilliantly juxtaposes extremes of wealth and poverty across the metropolis. Moore samples the absolute rags and the astonishing riches of the British capital by staying overnight at a luxury hotel in Mayfair and contrasting it with an accommodation in the Old Kent Road. He enjoys quality time with the historical ghost of Dr Crippen in Pentonville Prison and even winds up at the wrong end of the Water Works pipe, uncovering the literal and metaphorical infrastructure that keeps the city flowing. In doing so, he solves all the burning mysteries and whimsical puzzles that players have pondered for generations while rolling dice around a square piece of cardboard. In the wonderful, unchanging world of Monopoly, it still only costs a modest sum to buy a house in Islington, players can zip across the entirety of London with a single shake of the dice, and drivers can always miraculously park their cars for free. However, the real London is a vastly different beast, one marked by decades of gentrification, shifting demographics, architectural marvels, and economic shifts. Moore guides the reader through this historical tapestry with self-deprecating humor and sharp observation, making the familiar squares of the board feel like vibrant characters in their own right. Do Not Pass Go serves as both a nostalgic love letter to a beloved board game and a fascinating social history of a great city, capturing the quirks of urban life and the enduring charm of throwing dice to conquer the metropolis.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Witty and entertaining writing style that brings London history to life.
A creative and original concept linking a beloved board game to urban exploration.
Thoughtful contrasts between the wealthy and impoverished areas of the city.
Engaging anecdotes involving famous London landmarks and historical figures.
⚠️ Cons
May rely heavily on British cultural references that international readers might need to look up.
The focus on specific London locations might feel less relevant to readers unfamiliar with the city.
❓ FAQ
What is the premise of Do Not Pass Go? +
The author explores the history and culture of London since the 1930s by visiting all 28 streets, stations, and utilities found on a Monopoly board.
Who wrote the book and when was it published? +
The book was written by Tim Moore and was published in 2008.
How many pages long is the book? +
The book spans 356 pages.
Does the author actually stay at locations from the game? +
Yes, Moore samples the extremes of the board by staying in a hotel in Mayfair and another in the Old Kent Road.
What genres does this book fall under? +
It falls under the games and activities genre, combining travel writing, humor, and social history.
