Nothing Like It in the World: The Men Who Built the Transcontinental Railroad, 1863-1869

In fact, Ambrose ignores a good bit of evidence that suggests that government subsidies of the transcontinental railroads was entirely unnecessary and probably detrimental to the industry. Burton W. Folsom, Jr., in the book "The Myth of the Robber Barons" shows that it was possible to build transcontinental lines without government subsidies. Ambrose deals primarily with the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific Railroades, which were both in bed with Washington policymakers. But Folsom describes how James J. Hill's Great Northern Railroad was able to construct a transcontinental line across worse terrain using land purchased on the open market without any government loans or subsidies--and to make a profit while charging lower faires! Thus much of Ambrose' interpretation--his "moral" as it were--is simply false. Government subsidies of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific produced inefficient, corrupt operations that negatively impacted the U.S. railroad industry for generations afterward.


Error filled and quotes from non-existent people   October 30, 2003
 6 out of 15 found this review helpful

All of Ambrose's works have been severely criticized for their
errors and extensive plagiarisms, but this book may lead all of the rest, according to the Committee for the protection of yWhat is Truey in Railroad History, chaired by G.J. yChrisy Graves, Newcastle, California, which found that Ambrose text contains at least 60 pages that display one or more rather obvious errors, as well as quotes from non-existent people. The test itself (at least that part actually written by Ambrose) has his usual bombastic statements and pedestrian writing. Ambrose never let the facts get in the way of a heroic tale. His books qualify for the fiction shelf. They're certainly not histories.


Not a classic but a good read just the same.   October 10, 2003
 8 out of 9 found this review helpful

Enjoyable, but somewhat repetitive story of the transcontinental railroad. Often narrative gives out and is replaced with lists of statistics or simply fails and is reduced to hyperbolae.

Despite this, it was a good telling of the facsinating story behind the train that tied together the american continent. T


over rated   September 25, 2003
 4 out of 6 found this review helpful

Ambrose has become so popular he thinks he can write anything. The best book on the transcontinental railroad is called 'Empire Express'. This book is just not worth it. Ambrose has produced some valuable scholarship(on Ike and Nixon) but this doesnt pass muster.

Not recommended when equal and better volumes exist that are specialities for the authors involved, not just popular history.


Railroad enthusiasts will enjoy it more than a casual reader   June 13, 2003
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Stephen Ambrose, noted author of historical works, sets out to weave a tale of human endeavor and achievement. Given the unprecedented nature of the events and relevance of some of the sub-plots his work falls short of the masterpiece that it could have been.

All of the elements of a great work are there: historical accuracy and depth of research (including notes from rail worker logs/diaries) as well as the workings of cut-throat business competition and national scandals in the making...

There are still many intersting details: the introduction of "modern" advances like nitroglycerine, steam power and electricity; using business competition to increase productivity; the political machinations that should have brought down many members of Congress (but didn't) and the very Enron-like financial frauds.

Railroad enthusiasts will still enjoy the work, but it could have had much broader appeal and present-day relevance with a little more refinement.