Modern Railroad

The transcontinental railroads of the late 19th century were the first corporate behemoths. Their attempts to generate profits from proliferating debt sparked devastating panics in the US economy. Their dependence on public largess drew them into the corridors of power, initiating new forms of corruption. Their operations rearranged space and time, and remade the landscape of the West. As wheel and rail, car and coal, they opened new worlds of work and ways of life.  

Dive into the gritty urban history of an engineering marvel that turned a chaotic harbor town into a global empire. Perfect for your daily commute, this high-energy narrative captures the raw ambition and fierce political battles that built a city beneath the streets. Discover how rival...