Iron Horses
America's Race to Bring the Railroads West
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4.2 • 16 Ratings
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
A "masterly" account of the origins of the transcontinental railroad (Douglas Brinkley) by the author of the bestselling The Admirals.
After the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in 1869, the rest of the United States was up for grabs, and the race was on. The prize: a better, shorter, less snowy route through the American Southwest, linking Los Angeles to Chicago.
In Iron Horses, Borneman recounts the rivalries, contested routes, political posturing, and business dealings that unfolded as an increasing number of lines pushed their way across the country. Borneman brings to life the legendary robber barons behind it all and also captures the herculean efforts required to construct these roads -- the laborers who did the back-breaking work, the brakemen who ran atop moving cars, the tracklayers crushed and killed by runaway trains.
From backroom deals in Washington, DC, to armed robberies of trains in the wild deserts, from cattle cars to streamliners and Super Chiefs, all the great incidents and innovations of a mighty American era are made vivid in Iron Horses.
Customer Reviews
Great story with a more narrow focus
The story of the railroad era is fascinating, and Borneman gives good acknowledgement to the maneuverings and rivalries of the different players. However, the book may be more aptly titled “The Santa Fe RR and its rivalry with the Southern Pacific.” The Union Pacific especially gets short shrift. It is obvious Bourneman is enamored with the ATSF, and highlights that pariticular road throughout. I still loved the book, though, especially reading it while my wife & I rode the Southwest Chief from Lamy to LA. Perfect timing.
Well rounded history of the nation’s railroads
Great insight into the building of our nation’s railroads from the Mississippi River west.
The last section about the 20th century was rushed and read like it was added as an after-thought