The View from the Train

“Patrick Keiller’s films (including London and Robinson in Space) are some of the most beautiful and evocative images of contemporary urban environments we have; in this collection of lucid and eloquent essays he shows us the theoretical rigour that lies behind his practice. Essential reading for urbanists, cineastes, psychogeographers – and indeed anyone who either lives in cities, or cares about them; so: everyone.” —Will Self

“Keiller is Britain’s most observant and provocative film-maker around the subject of cities and the landscape. In these wonderful essays, he explores the political and cultural forces behind how the UK looks.” —Edwin Heathcote, Financial Times Books of the Year

“An enigmatic, intermittently brilliant collection of essays about the built landscape of Britain and how it has changed in the last thirty years.” —Andy Beckett, Guardian

“Perceptive, educated, un-obvious musings on place and inhabitation.” —Rowan Moore, Observer Books of the Year

“Our most original geographical and political thinker.” —Owen Hatherley, author of A New Kind of Bleak

The View from the Train often delights with its sly, impish wit and observation.” —Ian Thomson, Independent

“An essayist of stylish rigour.” —Brian Dillon, author of In the Dark Room