Iron Horses: America's Race to Bring the Railroads West

(Paperback)

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Description

After the completion of the 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 labourers who did the back-breaking work, the brakemen who ran atop moving cars, the tracklayers crushed and killed by runaway trains. From back room deals in Washington, DC, to armed robberies of trains in the wild deserts, from cattle cars to streamliners to Super Chiefs, all the great incidents and innovations of a mighty American era are made vivid in IRON HORSES.

Reviews

Praise for Iron Horses

"A riveting history of the frenetic race to construct a railroad across the great American Southwest following the Civil War. Borneman is masterful at writing seamless narrative. Every page sings with fine writing." -- Douglas Brinkley, author of The Wilderness Warrior

Praise for The Admirals:

"Superbly reported... Borneman tackles the essential question of military leadership: What makes some men, but not others, able to motivate a fighting force into battle" -- Tony Perry, Los Angeles Times

"Borneman's telling of this story is admirable foremost because of its detail and historical accuracy; his extensive research is put to good use. But he also is a gifted storyteller, and he introduces his readers to an array of characters who are part of this transcontinental treasure hunt.... Borneman's book is an enjoyable read for railroad buffs, Old West aficionados, serious-minded historians and anyone who finds romance in the sound of a train whistle in the night." -- BookPage
"Brisk, colorful, and exciting... A worthy look at a less-publicized aspect of railroad construction." -- Booklist
"Engagingly written and deeply researched... Mr. Borneman makes it easy to understand the complex series of maneuvers and counter-maneuvers at Leyte Gulf...which is not always the case with accounts of the battle." -- Andrew Roberts, Wall Street Journal

Author Bio

Walter R. Borneman is the author of eight acclaimed works of non-fiction, including 1812: The War that Forged a Nation, The French and Italian War, Polk, The Admirals, and most recently, American Spring. He lives in Colorado.