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Rival Rails: The Race to Build America's Greatest Transcontinental Railroad Audiobook
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(2.91) - 35 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The driving of the golden spike at Promontory Summit, which marked the completion of the country's first transcontinental railroad, was only the beginning of the race for railroad dominance. In the aftermath of this building feat, dozens of railroads, each with aggressive empire builders at their helms, raced one another for the ultimate prize of a southern transcontinental route that was generally free of snow, shorter in distance, and gentler in gradients.
More than just a means of transportation, the railroads were a powerful mold, and the presence of a rail line had the power to make—or break—the fledgling towns and cities across the newborn American West. While much has been written about the building of the first transcontinental railroad, the bulk of the history of the railroads in the United States has been largely ignored. With a meticulous, loving eye, Walter Borneman picks up where most other histories leave off.
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"With modern railroads in a state of renewal, this well-written history of western railroad expansion will greatly interest rail fans and general readers alike. "
— Library Journal
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“Borneman’s narrative is brisk, colorful, and exciting.”
— Booklist
Rival Rails Listener Reviews
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" This felt very inaccessible to someone who doesn't have the train obsession. Yes, trains are cool, but this seemed like something for someone who's truly obsessed with the subject. But I don't regret reading this because now, I'm completely fascinated by the story of Nellie Bly. "
— Jim, 11/28/2013 -
" I'm not really a railroad person, and I think someone who's more into their history would have enjoyed this book more. "
— David, 2/24/2013 -
" There are some interesting tidbits in this history of how the railroads of the West were won, but there are too many names and dates and not enough economics, scenery, or personality. Not bad, but just okay. "
— Chris, 3/24/2012 -
" There are some interesting tidbits in this history of how the railroads of the West were won, but there are too many names and dates and not enough economics, scenery, or personality. Not bad, but just okay. "
— Chris, 1/30/2011 -
" I'm not really a railroad person, and I think someone who's more into their history would have enjoyed this book more. "
— David, 11/1/2010
About Walter R. Borneman
Walter R. Borneman is the author of several works of nonfiction, including 1812, The French and Indian War, Polk, and the New York Times bestselling The Admirals. He holds both a master’s degree in history and a law degree. He lives in Colorado.
About Norman Dietz
Norman Dietz is a writer, voice-over artist, and audiobook narrator. He has won numerous Earphones Awards and was named one of the fifty “Best Voices of the Century” by AudioFile magazine. He and his late wife, Sandra, transformed an abandoned ice-cream parlor into a playhouse, which served “the world’s best hot fudge sundaes” before and after performances. The founder of Theatre in the Works, he lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.