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Pictorial History of North American Railroads by Walter Gray w/ dust jacket
Pictorial History Of North American Railroads By Walter P Gray 312 Pages Copyright 1996 DUST Jacket
Both as an economic force and as a cultural icon, the railroad is unique in the extent and depth of its influence upon the development of this continent. In fact, it is nearly impossible to explore the history of the United States, Canada, and Mexico since 1850 without crossing a few railroad tracks.
The great overlapping national themes of westward expansion, industrialization, and the rise of big business, as well as the inevitable conflicts that arose among agrarian, labor, industrial, and governmental interests, all come together in the story of the railroad. The industry provides a kind of shorthand to the national experience.
The railroads have also given us much of the inventory of heroes and villains that populate the mythology of the Industrial Age.
No workingman was stronger than John Henry; no engineer was braver than Casey Jones; and no businessmen were more unscrupulous or voracious than the railroads' own "robber barons." For North Americans, they have become the stuff of legend.
Still, it is fair to ask why there is yet another book about a subject so well documented. The story is a good one-and, we believe, an essential one-but past ceilings have often failed to capture more than the heaviest outlines of this vital history, and there is much more that can and should be said.
This also happens to be a good time to observe and comment on railroading. The industry is undergoing important changes as the twentieth century draws to a close, making this an opportune moment to revise some of the earlier interpretations and otherwise bring the story up-to-date. Fortunately, we have the opportunity to hear from some of the most capable and thoughtful scholars working in railroad history, who have collaborated to produce the present volume.
Pictorial History of North American Railroads brings together five knowledgeable authors to tell the story of railroads in North America. Railroad historian John Hankey, former curator of the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore, is credited with giving the book its shape and focus. Paul Hammond, editor of Locomotive & Railway Preservation magazine, together with well-known railroad author Karl Zimmerman and Charlotte Observer transportation reporter Jim Wrinn, have brought their distinctive experiences and perspectives to the writing as well, making this a durable addition to railroad history. As for myself, I can only say that I am honored to be in the company of these distinguished writers.
Hooray for the railroad
Westward the course of empire
Dawn of the modern railroad
The classic era
Hard times ahead
Classic railroading takes an encore
An industry on the ropes
Into the new century
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