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Iron Rails, Iron Men, and the Race to Link the Nation

The Story of the Transcontinental Railroad

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Iron Rails, Iron Men, and the Race to Link the Nation

By: Martin W. Sandler
Narrated by: Grover Gardner
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About this listen

Experience the race of rails to link the country - and meet the men behind this incredible feat - in a riveting story about the building of the Transcontinental Railroad.

In the 1850s gold fever swept the West, but people had to walk, sail, or ride horses for months on end to seek their fortunes. The question of faster, safer transportation was posed by national leaders. But with 1,800 miles of seemingly impenetrable mountains, searing deserts, and endless plains between the Missouri River and San Francisco, could a transcontinental railroad be built? It seemed impossible.

Eventually two railroad companies, the Central Pacific, which laid the tracks eastward, and the Union Pacific, which moved west, began the job. In one great race between iron men with iron wills, tens of thousands of workers blasted the longest tunnels that had ever been constructed, built the highest bridges that had ever been created, and finally linked the nation by two bands of steel, changing America forever.

©2015 Martin W. Sandler, original book published by Candlewick Press (P)2015 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved Geography & Cultures History North America Vehicles & Transportation Nonfiction Railroad
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What did you like most about Iron Rails, Iron Men, and the Race to Link the Nation?

Very interesting facts, I was telling everyone I bumped whilst listening to this book about all the amazing things I'd just heard. I just wish the book was a little longer, it didn't feel like it breezed over anything in particular, it's just that I was enjoying it so much!
If you enjoy this subject matter and haven't seen the tv series Hell On Wheels, then you should check it out, or if you have seen the show, then this book will be of interest to you.

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