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Nothing Like it In The World (Abridged): The Men Who Built The Transcontinental Railroad 1863 - 1869 Audiobook
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Publisher Description
In this account of an unprecedented feat of engineering, vision, and courage, Stephen E. Ambrose offers an historical successor to his universally acclaimed Undaunted Courage.
Nothing Like It in the World is the story of the men who built the transcontinental railroad. In Ambrose's hands, this enterprise comes to life.
The U.S. government pitted two companies -- the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific Railroads -- against each other in a race for funding, encouraging speed over caution. At its peak, the work force approached the size of Civil War armies, with as many as 15,000 workers on each line. The surveyors, the men who picked the route, living off buffalo, deer, and antelope.
In building a railroad, there is only one decisive spot -- the end of the track. Nothing like this great work had ever been seen in the world when the last spike, a golden one, was driven in Promontory Peak, Utah, in 1869, as the Central Pacific and the Union Pacific tracks were joined.
Ambrose writes with power and eloquence about the brave men -- the famous and the unheralded, ordinary men doing the extraordinary -- who accomplished the spectacular feat that made the continent into a nation.
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"Very interesting story of building the transcontinental railroad. Well written and researched. The story told is well balanced between detailing the people and personalities and giving an objective history of an amazing effort and race to meet in the middle between the two coasts."
— Mark (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Ambrose provides an eminently readable study of a complex episode in American history.”
— Amazon.com, editorial review -
“Ambrose’s epic account, diligently and powerfully read by DeMunn, details the incredible mobilization of manpower and financing that was ‘the very embodiment of system.’”
— Publishers Weekly audio review -
[A] rough-and-tumble, triumphant saga…Drawing on diaries, memoirs, letters, telegrams, newspaper accounts, and other primary sources, Ambrose celebrates the railroad’s unsung heroes—the men who actually did the backbreaking work.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“This muscular yet flowing telling of the railroad’s physical construction, will be a sure winner with the author’s legions of readers.”
— Booklist
Awards
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A #1 New York Times bestseller
Nothing Like it In The World Listener Reviews
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" Excellent..love Ambrose's writing style and research "
— Philip, 2/18/2014 -
" The railroad was finished in May of 1869. It carried out my Summers and Gripenstraw families in 1870. Fascinating account of the work that went into connecting America. "
— Bart, 2/10/2014 -
" While this turned out to be a fascinating book, it starts off really slowly. I had the impression that this book may have been written during two separate periods of time. Once you get through the first 1/3, it becomes worth it. I really learned a great deal about just what a tremendous accomplishment it was to build a transcontinental railroad. You finish this book and realize that we probably could not duplicate this effort today. "
— Peter, 1/30/2014 -
" Who knew the concept of time zones and "hell on wheels" came out of the Transcontinental Railroad?! It was built across the entire breatdth of southern Wyoming, so of course I had to read it! Why are so many ghost towns in that part of Wyoming 20 miles apart? This book will tell you. "
— Luanne, 1/18/2014 -
" Amazing story -- the vision and hard work to make it happen, and all the challenges to over come. "
— Joe, 1/6/2014 -
" I was fascinated by this book. Ambrose always draws me in with his details. "
— Joette, 12/28/2013 -
" Another excellent historical read from Ambrose chock-full of detail and (like the Lewis and Clark story) a page-turner. I know, I know, the History major strikes again! :-D "
— Monique, 12/27/2013 -
" A bit repetitive, but very informative of the inner workings of government and big business. "
— Linda, 12/21/2013 -
" U.S. history and railroading combined into 1 book. I 80 or the Amtrak California Zepher cover the same route nowdays. What a project for 1869. "
— Paul, 11/27/2013 -
" I seem to be on an American history kick, but this was the least interesting to me out of what I've read in the past few months. It's a full-history to be sure, but I was utterly bored by the passages about the budgeting, money, bonds, land grants, interest, capitalists, scandals, corruptions, etc. "
— Sean, 8/12/2013 -
" That is one long railroad.....I mean book "
— Billy, 6/9/2013 -
" Best historical book I've ever read--period. "
— Alfred, 12/6/2012 -
" Typical Ambrose: history made even more interesting. "
— Chris, 10/17/2012 -
" I've always like railroads, but this book made me even more interested. It's really amazing what these men accomplished, and I wonder if it could even be done today if it had to be again... "
— Marie, 7/24/2012 -
" It was a little slow, i had high expectations after reading undaunted courage which was fantastic. However, it was very informative and gave some neat suggestions for places to go visit today. "
— Andrew, 5/14/2012 -
" Great treatment of a subject that isn't talked about enough. So important to the growth of the nation. "
— Mike, 4/22/2012 -
" I wanted to give this more stars, but after doing a little research I found out that the author did quite a sloppy job on the details, so I can't rate it on readability alone. But if you want a sloppy history that is fun to read and gives you the big picture, this is the book. "
— Marci, 9/11/2011 -
" I have no interest in trains, but this book was an exception. I was so amazed by all that went into the race to finish the transcontinental railroad. It was an amazing read. "
— Rachel, 6/1/2011 -
" I really enjoyed the beginning of this book, but near the end I felt it became less about America and more an autobiography. It was required reading for school so I had to finish it, but I was definitely dragging through "
— Rachel, 5/25/2011 -
" Ambrose is so far my favorite modern historian (Mormon is my favorite ancient one) "
— Josh, 2/2/2011 -
" Probably the best history book I have read. Profound insights from a man who spent his life studying and writing about history. You have to read his spot on assessment of our founding fathers. GREAT book. "
— Steve, 1/16/2010 -
" I love this book... I used parts of it to teach a comparative history course. Amrose is at his best... chewing on issues that produce great discussions about what makes America what it is. "
— Jason, 12/24/2009 -
" This is the last book written by this author, before he died. He went over subjects ( history)that he had written in previous books.He wrote a lot about the Wars and the past presidents. "
— Alberta, 8/27/2009
About Stephen E. Ambrose
Stephen E. Ambrose (1936–2002) was the author of several New York Times bestsellers, including Citizen Soldiers, Undaunted Courage, and D-Day, as well as biographies of Presidents Eisenhower and Nixon. He also founded the Eisenhower Center and was president of the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. His book, Band of Brothers, was the basis for the HBO miniseries. He was also a contributing editor for the Quarterly Journal of Military History, a member of the board of directors for American Rivers, and a member of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council Board.
About Jeffrey DeMunn
Jeffrey DeMunn is an American film, television, and stage actor. He graduated from Union College in 1969 and then spent two years at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre school in England. He is best known for his roles in several Frank Darabont films, including The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, and The Majestic. His is also featured in numerous television roles, most recently in the adaptation of The Walking Dead comic book series. In addition to his film and television performances, DeMunn has lent his voice to several audio books, including The Colorado Kid, Dreamcatcher, and Letters for Emily.