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The Iron Road: An Illustrated History of the Railroad Hardcover – April 21, 2014
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"[The Iron Road is a] valuable resource for younger researchers meeting social studies, science, and informational text Common Core standards." – VOYA Magazine (Voice of Youth Advocates)
About the Author
Christian Wolmar is a broadcaster and an award-winning writer who has written several books on railway history, including Fire and Steam, Blood, Iron, and Gold, and Engines of War. His latest book, The Great Railroad Revolution, is a history of American railroads.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By
K. Blaine
VINE VOICE on June 25, 2014
Format: Hardcover
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I ordered this book because my husband is a railroad enthusiast, and I knew that he would be able to help me review it honestly. In addition, the is a DK book, and for those unfamiliar with DK travel books, they are a delight. Although other books may provide more text, DK books offer a wealth of photos, maps, and drawings.
This book, "The Iron Road" by Christian Wolmar, has exceptional drawings, photos, maps, and graphics, but in addition, it provides a superb and detailed text. The book is divided into five sections, each dealing with an aspect of railroads around the world in chronological order. Many books have examined the engineering of railroads, but this one also deals with the human aspect of railroad construction, especially the intrigue and greed that form the backdrop of many railroads. Most readers, unless they are well acquainted with railroad history, are unaware of the human cost of rail expansion, not only in the United States but around the world. Wolmar recounts this human cost with compassion and insight, never over-dramatizing it, but making sure the reader does not dismiss it.
In Australia, for example, rather than standardize the track width, 22 track widths were used, a case study in how not to create a railroad network. Why did this happen? Every rail baron wanted to be first to get his piece of the railroad action. This greed precluded cooperation and set Australia's rail system back decades.
The transformative effect of railroads on society cannot be overestimated. In addition to travel, industry, and commerce, the impact of railroads on war, especially the American Civil War and in Europe, World War II, is covered in detail.Read more ›
This book, "The Iron Road" by Christian Wolmar, has exceptional drawings, photos, maps, and graphics, but in addition, it provides a superb and detailed text. The book is divided into five sections, each dealing with an aspect of railroads around the world in chronological order. Many books have examined the engineering of railroads, but this one also deals with the human aspect of railroad construction, especially the intrigue and greed that form the backdrop of many railroads. Most readers, unless they are well acquainted with railroad history, are unaware of the human cost of rail expansion, not only in the United States but around the world. Wolmar recounts this human cost with compassion and insight, never over-dramatizing it, but making sure the reader does not dismiss it.
In Australia, for example, rather than standardize the track width, 22 track widths were used, a case study in how not to create a railroad network. Why did this happen? Every rail baron wanted to be first to get his piece of the railroad action. This greed precluded cooperation and set Australia's rail system back decades.
The transformative effect of railroads on society cannot be overestimated. In addition to travel, industry, and commerce, the impact of railroads on war, especially the American Civil War and in Europe, World War II, is covered in detail.Read more ›
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By
Carol Kean
VINE VOICE on June 8, 2014
Format: Hardcover
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Most DK books, in particular the hefty WWI volume I just reviewed, are cluttered with graphics and precious little text. This book offers splendid photos and equally splendid text. Thank you!
The author has written many books about trains, so the reviewer who lamented that this book leaves out a lot of the U.S. history of trains but concedes that would be a book in itself is right -- and there is a book dedicated just to that.
Christian Wolmar is one of the best writers of nonfiction I've come across. His prose is engaging and readable. He knows and loves his stuff. If only all teachers could love their subject this much and communicate as much information without boring their students, we might not be drugging so many kids for attention-deficit disorders.
This book has specific details that even my husband, lifelong railroad enthusiast, hadn't read before. Negotiating curves, for example: a line drawing diagrams the angle of the flange that allows the train to lean into a bend like a bicyclist leaning into a corner. I'm drawn to photographs of the workers and old travel posters, and the quotes from skeptics and surprised passengers who didn't faint at the incredible speed of 25 miles per hour.
Wolmar has written a series of books on railroad history, and this book makes me want to read them all. He also speaks at conferences? I will be watching for events in my area.
The author has written many books about trains, so the reviewer who lamented that this book leaves out a lot of the U.S. history of trains but concedes that would be a book in itself is right -- and there is a book dedicated just to that.
Christian Wolmar is one of the best writers of nonfiction I've come across. His prose is engaging and readable. He knows and loves his stuff. If only all teachers could love their subject this much and communicate as much information without boring their students, we might not be drugging so many kids for attention-deficit disorders.
This book has specific details that even my husband, lifelong railroad enthusiast, hadn't read before. Negotiating curves, for example: a line drawing diagrams the angle of the flange that allows the train to lean into a bend like a bicyclist leaning into a corner. I'm drawn to photographs of the workers and old travel posters, and the quotes from skeptics and surprised passengers who didn't faint at the incredible speed of 25 miles per hour.
Wolmar has written a series of books on railroad history, and this book makes me want to read them all. He also speaks at conferences? I will be watching for events in my area.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By
bernie
HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWERVINE VOICE on May 25, 2014
Format: Hardcover
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I grew up with trains my blood. When I was a young lad my father bought me my first Lionel train set; I had tracks running through most of the doorway so they could not be closed. If you ever watch the movie "People Will Talk" (1951) then you'll get a feel for a real train set.
My mother used to take me on the Redline from LA to Long Beach. Eventually they were dumped in the ocean as fish houses.
I rode the train from Los Angeles to Ft. Worth as a child; the advantage was even though the trains might've changed the train car stayed the same so all I had to do was stay seated.
I still have a picture of the Sunset Limited on my wall.
One of my favorite programs which is a good companion to this book is "Michael Palin: Great Railway Journeys."
The book itself is just exactly what the title implies "The Iron Railroad - an Illustrated History of the Railroad." It covers railroads of the world in a somewhat chronological order. There are color pictures, monochrome pictures, drawings, portraits, and pictures of memorabilia. One of the added pluses are the maps of the railroads as they make the understanding of history come to life. There's even a section on railroad signal telegraphy.
So if you like railroads, or history, or technology, or just want a good read this is the book for you.
Michael Palin: Hemingway Adventure / Great Railway Journeys
My mother used to take me on the Redline from LA to Long Beach. Eventually they were dumped in the ocean as fish houses.
I rode the train from Los Angeles to Ft. Worth as a child; the advantage was even though the trains might've changed the train car stayed the same so all I had to do was stay seated.
I still have a picture of the Sunset Limited on my wall.
One of my favorite programs which is a good companion to this book is "Michael Palin: Great Railway Journeys."
The book itself is just exactly what the title implies "The Iron Railroad - an Illustrated History of the Railroad." It covers railroads of the world in a somewhat chronological order. There are color pictures, monochrome pictures, drawings, portraits, and pictures of memorabilia. One of the added pluses are the maps of the railroads as they make the understanding of history come to life. There's even a section on railroad signal telegraphy.
So if you like railroads, or history, or technology, or just want a good read this is the book for you.
Michael Palin: Hemingway Adventure / Great Railway Journeys
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By
Rodger Raubach
VINE VOICE on May 31, 2014
Format: Hardcover
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"Of all the great inventions of the Industrial revolution, the railroads had the greatest impact." This is the opening line of the introduction to the "Iron Road: An Illustrated History of the Railroad." The author then goes on to make his case in a very entertaining and thoroughly convincing manner.
This book is profusely illustrated and written in a very engaging and informational style. The first chapter details the invention of rail roads, and the subsequent use of steam engines as the source of motive power beyond horses. The author goes far beyond mere technical details and explores the sociological impact and benefits to modernization of human society and well being. The dark side is touched on as well: use as military transport for consolidation of nations, and the use of trains to move large numbers of men and materiel in wartime.
One doesn't need to be a "Railroad Junkie" in order to enjoy and appreciate this very well-executed volume. I rated it 5 stars for good reason. It deserves them.
This book is profusely illustrated and written in a very engaging and informational style. The first chapter details the invention of rail roads, and the subsequent use of steam engines as the source of motive power beyond horses. The author goes far beyond mere technical details and explores the sociological impact and benefits to modernization of human society and well being. The dark side is touched on as well: use as military transport for consolidation of nations, and the use of trains to move large numbers of men and materiel in wartime.
One doesn't need to be a "Railroad Junkie" in order to enjoy and appreciate this very well-executed volume. I rated it 5 stars for good reason. It deserves them.
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