The Transcontinental Railroad: A Primary Source History of America's First Coast-To-Coast Railroad

Transcontinental Railroad is a perfect primer for one of the most essential events in American history. I should know because I've been fascinated by TR history for years! This became one of my immediate favorites. Yes, the reader will get the story of grit and determination and the never-say-die spirit that built the railroad in spite of difficult odds. And that alone would have made it a worthwhile read. But, the author has also provided engaging portraits of the personalities behind the scenes: the pettiness, greed, and corruption of the men who made the railroad and the noble hero whose vision and work made it possible. Without pity, what emerges from an understanding of these figures and the immigrant workers who were used to further their aims, is a work filled with both triumph and tragedy. It's not merely a retelling of a twice-told-tale, but a set of truly original insights. Houghton's book also succeeds where many others have failed by being clear and compelling enough to keep the attention of school age children, while offering the kind of information that can be appreciated by adult readers. It's a winner and a must for anyone who cares about our nation's past.

When I first heard about this book, it sounded old fashioned and reminded me of a civics class I had in fifth grade. But when I got hold of an early copy and dug into it, I found it was colorful, the pictures were dramatic, and it really came down to a regular corporate rip-off, just like the Enron deal. It was kind of reassuring to me to find out that people were just regular people back then, not like stuffed figures in a museum. What's more, I got the sense the writer of the book is both well informed and has a sly eye for what was going down, too. She takes it all in and tells it like it is. The most wonderful paradox of the whole mess, of course, is that this scam actually resulted in the magnificent triumph of the transcontinental railroad, the smash-hit of the nineteenth century and the most gorgeous ride through the mountains that anyone ever saw. I know, because I made the trip once. Out of evil comes good, you could definitely say. So I would recommend this book to any person between the ages of 9 (if they're pretty mature) and 99 (if they still got their wits).