I was sent this book for the purpose of review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.
The Orient Express is something that has always fascinated me. Going on it is my ultimate bucket list experience but we all know how expensive it is! The dream may remain a dream but when given the opportunity to review this book from ACC Art Books, at least it could get me a step closer and really let me get to know the prestigious train.
This book is a real coffee table book; it is a weighty tome that is the perfect conversation piece for family and friends. It has a foreword from Sir Kenneth Branagh which I thought was a nice touch – he is, after all, the person responsible for bringing the greatest work of fiction featuring the Orient Express, Murder on the Orient Express, back to the big screen. Funnily enough, it was that work of fiction that first drew my attention to the Orient Express and ignited the interest.
The cover is absolutely beautiful and drew me straight in. With 260 pages (216 colour, 119 black & white), this book truly captures the essence of the train known as the king of trains, the train of kings. This book captures the history and features never before seen material from the archives which makes it an even more interesting read.
Being such a hefty tome, I’ve found myself dipping in as and when, finding out more and more information as I slowly make my way through the book.
The images featured are amazing. With images of the engine, the interior, the passengers, absolutely everything is covered, absolutely everything you could ever wish to know.
My most favourite section of the book was about the people connected with the Orient Express. The most obvious, Agatha Christie, was of course mentioned but other well known names such as Mata Hari and Lawrence of Arabia were also featured. This was a really interesting and informative section.
I also loved reading about the restaurant and saloon cars and looking at the photos of them all. The interiors are just so luxurious, so ornate and beautiful. The craftmanship that goes into the decor of the prestigious train is second to none.
Retailing at £40, this is by no means a cheap book but if you have an Orient Express fan in your family or friendship group, this would make a wonderful gift for them. It truly is a wonderful guide to all things Orient Express and it is a book I will treasure for the rest of my life. Hopefully I will get my trip on it one day!
You can also buy the book on Amazon here {affiliate link}.
Would you travel on the Orient Express if you could?
Ah, the romance of the Orient Express! This coffee-table book is filled with stunning photographs, not just of the plush interiors of the train cars, but also of the inventors of sleeping cars, as well as the famous people who rode in them. It’s a fascinating look at a bygone age of opulence, with a nod to the modern-day artisans who are restoring some of the cars to their prior glory. A must-read for anyone who loves train travel!
What an absolutely amazing sounding book. I bet it is incredible to look back on the history of such a wonderful train! I might have to get this as a present for my parents.
How fab is this book. It really brings the train journey and times to life. Amazing xx
The book looks absolutely stunning. I’ve always dreamed of the Orient Express and how wonderful it is to have this on your coffee table for when you get those pangs of wanderlust.
This sounds like a wonderful book. I love looking at historical pictures and imagine what was going on behind the scenes
I love the sound of this, I may put it on my Christmas list.