Nothing Like It In The World Lp : The Men Who Built The Transcontinental Railroad 18631869 by Stephen E. Ambrose
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Book Reviews of Nothing Like It In The World Lp : The Men Who Built The Transcontinental Railroad 18631869
Book Review: Nothing Like it in All the World
Summary: 5 Stars
I really enjoyed this book. It is well written and if you are in interested in American History it gives you insight into the period of history surrounding the building of these two powerful railroads. It also gives you an inside look at the dealings and graft that went into the building of the Transcontinental Railroad. I would recommend this book and actually already have.Book Review: A Must-Read for All Railroad Employees
Summary: 4 Stars
I would like to rate this book on two fronts; first, for the select few who work for a railroad (especially Union Pacific) and secondly, for the general public.
I am a current employee of the Union Pacific in the Public Affairs department. In my daily dealings, I am frequently asked about why the railroad operates in certain manners and how some issues came about. Stephen Ambrose's "Nothing Like It In the World" leads the reader through the very same journey that the men of the Central and Union Pacific embarked upon in the 1860's. What really adds value for railroad employees is Ambrose's brilliance in providing the perspective of a wide range of characters. For example, we experience the Big Four's struggles to attain investment in the Central Pacific Railroad and their relentless pressure on Congress. Also, we see the "Hell on Wheels" environment created by workers traveling with the railroad construction gangs. Finally, this book provides great insight into how the culture of the railroad came together from the very beginning. Often times, I have found myself wondering why the railroad is run in such a militaristic style. Well, a vast percentage of the Union Pacific was made up of Civil War veterans with various managers being former generals and high-ranking officers of both the Confederate and Union armies. Additionally, we see that the U.S. Government granted huge easements for the railroads to build their tracks, which over time have caused wide frustration for citizens as urban areas sprawl along railroad lines.
Now, for the general public this book may not prove to be as useful. The author spends a substantial amount of time describing life for individuals working for the railroad and describing the geographical environment of the time; however, "Nothing Like It In the World" does provide a great angle on how the Central and Union Pacific railroads were America's first vast corporations. They were one of the first to issue stocks to secure investment and to lobby the government for favorable policies. It is a revealing read for a business person to see how many fundamental principles from the 1800's still apply to successful enterprise today.
Book Review: Audio version is Engrossing, Moves Quickly
Summary: 5 Stars
I listened to the abridged audio version on four cassettes. It held my interest like a novel while expanding my knowledge of the history of the railroad and its huge role in westward expansion.
I got this book because I enjoyed "Undaunted Courage." However, the largest part of my historical reading has been on the American Civil War, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that "Nothing Like it In the World" interweaves the story of the transcontinental railroad with the outline of the Civil War and frequently mentions familiar characters including Lincoln, Grant, and Sherman.
While I highly recommend the audio version, I missed the illustrations that one finds in a book. Small maps are included so that you can see the routes and many of the towns that are mentioned, but I felt unsatisfied so I borrowed a hard-cover edition from a local library and poured over the pictures and maps.
This book covers a significant period of history that is often given only slight attention in American History courses. The industrialization of the United States, westward expansion, the decimation of tribal people in the American West, the making and concentration of personal wealth by a few people, and the role of immigrants are all brought up in ways that may whet your appetite for more railroad history.
Book Review: There are much better, more thorough books on the subject
Summary: 2 Stars
this is the first book i read by ambrose, and after 200 pages, i knew i wouldn't pick up another one. the research was shoddy and the prose was worse. often, ambrose will write two paragraphs in a row that say the same thing, and that sort of thing gets old fast. i recommend david bain's "empire express". it's much longer and more daunting, but it's an artful work of history that is much, much more rewarding. Book Review: A fine account of a remarkable achievement
Summary: 4 Stars
'Nothing Like it In the World' by Stephen Ambrose
As usual, Mr. Ambrose delivers his straight forward, from the gut narrative of the construction and story behind the story of the building of the Transcontinental Railroad - a feat that inarguably changed America in profound ways. Meet the colorful characters who forced this project through, by sheer force of will and gain better perspective of the magnitude of labor and sometime exploitation of workers, particularly the Chinese. The financiers & government officials come through in this work in all their glory and shame - some deserved, others less so.
The power of the undertaking and dangers the workers faced, who truly are the main characters of this story, are exhibited in a voice as gravelly as that of Ambrose's own. The sheer enormity of this amazing feat is laid bare for the reader to digest and one is left feeling the passion of the original thought leaders of the RR down through the graders, spike drivers and general laborers who in an amazingly brief period of time changed the course of of American history in ways completely unseen.
If there is anything lacking, it would be the story of the Indians who are described as often terrorizing the railway workers to the point where men had to arm themselves for personal safety. The context of the Indians' story is lacking in this book, however, the argument could be made that it is an entirely different story. For that important component I would suggest, perhaps Dee Brown's 'Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee'.
All in all, the reader is taken back to pre-Lincoln presidency and carried through all the subsequent sweat and toil until the last spike was driven ....and American commerce and transportation and direction changed forever. It's well worth your time and no matter your thoughts on Stephen Ambrose, he'll always deliver an easily readable, passionate account of his subject matter. 'Nothing Like it in The World' is no exception. I highly recommend this book to anyone even remotely interested in American history or the old West.