Hear that Train Whistle Blow! How the Railroad Changed the World (Landmark Books)
Grade 6-9–Asserting that the railroad's "invention led to the greatest change in human history since farming was invented about twelve thousand years ago," Meltzer's book is unique in its presentation of the myriad ways in which this form of transportation affected almost every aspect of modern civilization. In addition to recounting the building of the transcontinental railroad in the U.S., the author describes the shorter train lines that developed around large cities prior to the Civil War and how they shaped the economy, agriculture, and the growth of new towns. He explains that slaves were used to construct railroads in the South and details the terrible conditions under which Chinese laborers worked on the Central Pacific. He also tells how former slaves became Pullman porters, allowing them to achieve a higher standard of living. He contrasts the high regard that 19th-century society had for railroad's "Big Four"–Collis P. Huntington, Leland Stanford, Mark Hopkins, and Charles Crocker–with more recent views that these men exploited and manipulated their way to wealth and power. Labor history and strikes are included, as is mention of the need for the U.S. to construct a high-speed, energy-efficient, ecologically sound rail network. Illustrated with numerous archival photographs, this excellent, comprehensive history will be a welcome addition.–Ginny Gustin, Sonoma County Library System, Santa Rosa, CACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.