The Great Society Subway: A History of the Washington Metro (Creating the North American Landscape)
Extensively researched, cleverly structured, and finely written, this book stands out for the way it provides an integral, comprehensive account of a key urban service.(Georg LeidenbergerAmerican Historical Review)In this superbly-written book, Zachary Schrag... explains how this achievement came about and what its impact is... A joy to read.(Gregory L. ThompsonTechnology and Culture)The author makes us privy to the thinking that went into the system's design.(Dennis DrabelleWashington Post Book World)Schrag does a thorough job with his subject.(Rachel DiCarloWashington Times)A timely look at how the Metro got where it is today.(Civil Engineering)It's a fascinating look at a modern transit triumph.(Trains)A graceful, fact-packed history of the genesis, development, and current state of the Washington Metro system.(H-DC)The Great Society Subwayis a great book for students of contemporary transit history.(Alexander D. MitchellRailfan and Railroad)An excellent book... a welcome and readable addition to the literature of how we construct the societies we inhabit.(Alex MarshallRegional Plan Association Spotlight)An exhaustively researched, engagingly written study of the planning, designing, building, and operating of the Washington Metro.(Sy AdlerJournal of American History)[Schrag] shows the interrelationship of citizens' hopes and fears, visionaries' ideas, politicians' need to succeed, engineers' practical requirements, and the ebb and flow of affecting events over time. It is a fascinating story well told... a love story by an historian for his city and its people.(William W. MillarJournal of the American Planning Association)A masterful new book... Schrag'sThe Great Society Subwaygives an eloquent and hopeful explanation of how this marvelous system came to be, and backs it up with an enormous amount of evidence and keen historical perspective.(Washington History)A meticulously researched account.(Phil HerveyUrban Land)Schrag has written a valuable study of the role of infrastructure in shaping the modern, urban world, and he aptly shows both the possibiities and limitations of major public investments... insights especially illuminating.(J. Lawrence LeeCRM: Journal of Heritage Stewardship)A welcome and readable addition to the literature of how we construct the societies we inhabit.(Alex MarshallHartford Courant)Without question high drama... I strongly recommend that you put down the latest Baldacci mystery and ready this very well written, comprehensive, and entertaining book... one terrific book that belongs on lots of shelves, from planners to historians to rail buffs to politicians.(Konrad J. PerlmanJournal of Planning Literature)A remarkable book. It has drama, it has pathos, it has passion, it has literary grace.(Bob PostJournal of Transport History)In clear and engaging prose, Schrag interweaves facts with a wide range of pragmatic, political, and aesthetic matters with discussions of those who posed and resolved the issues.(Pamela ScottJournal of Social History)In clear and engaging prose, Schrag interweaves facts with a wide range of pragmatic, political, and aesthetic matters with discussions of those who posed and resolved the issues.(Pamela ScottJournal of the Society of Architectural Historians)A masterful work of urban policy history,The Great Society Subwaytells the inside story, from idea to reality, of the development of the Washington Metro from the perspectives of all the key players. There's nothing like it available.(Carl Abbott, Portland State University)