The Emperor's Railroad
919170
Haley tries to elevate a tale that has plenty of recognizable components.  A post-apocalyptic world littered with remnants hinting to the world that was before.  Zombies.  Dragons.  Journeys through a bleak landscape.  The desperate feeling that not only can the past's wonders never be re-discovered or achieved once more, but that the last gasp of post-ruin renaissance is also gone; humanity and its attempts at society losing ground too fast to every regain or even simply hold fast.

Haley brings the last bit pretty well.  But he them muddles it too often for me with a narrative that simply lacks the clarity of when and where and how as the narrator reflects on things past and present and does so in ways that I found simply lacked the cohesive elegance to convey the atmosphere I felt the author was trying to achieve overall.  I found I had to struggle to care and found some of the atmosphere felt a little forced and heavy handed.

For a quick read it should have moved quicker.  And I think the author should have taken his world and reduced some of the elements that just seemed to clash a bit with each other.  It felt a bit like the author couldn't decide exactly what current popular tropes would work and so tried to use them all.
2867486
So, I've read the novel and did really like it.  I also ordered a used (orginal printing) of The Orphan Trains: Placing Out in America, to get a more complete historical perspective, but haven't opened it yet.
3577421
A country nobleman must learn city ways and only the emperors lovely court favorite, Lady Kirei, will do. The daily life of a Japanese lady interwoven with upper class social intrigue and love makes this a novel a must read!
220179
I have collected nearly all the books on the various railroad companies written by Tom Murray. I write articles on old farm tractors and machinery and the various small companies across the Midwest that made the tractors and machinery.  One of my favorite devices in these articles is describe in as much detail as possible the transfer of the tractors and machinery from the factory to a warehouse (sometimes called "blockhouse") and then to the local dealership. Since most of the farm machinery and tractors about which I write dates from the 1930s through the 1950s, I am interested in steam powered trains and the early diesel era.  Furthermore, I am interested in freight more than passenger trains and continually need more information on how freight was moved by rail during the steam and early diesel eras.  Toward this end, Tom Murray has never let me down.  I continually refer back to the appropriate book for more informtion as I write a particular article.

This particular book on the Chicago Northwestern Railway written by Tom Murray in 2008 was of particular interest to me, because I have referred to it so many times.  Many of the small towns in the Midwest where much of the "shortline" farm equipment(companies that made farm equipment without making farm tractors were referred to as shortline companies, e.g. the New Idea Company, the Owatonna Manufacturing Company) was made in towns served by the Chicago Northwestern Railway.

It is my continuing hope that Tom Murray will write more books on railways, especially a book on theu Soo Line.  This would be an apropriate book for him to write as, according to his biography, Tom Murray used to work for the Soo Line.

Brian Wayne Wells
3440377
If you are into model trains prewar or post ,
This is book I highly recommend. The author was a long time employee of the Lionel Corporation
Who designed many of their products and had a close relationship with the founder. He gives you behind the scene info on how the company functioned
4864409
Great book!!!  I had no idea my train was worth this much.
4460074
If you have an interest in toy trains, in particular European `O' gauge trains, you will enjoy this book.  If you are a collector or operator of Hornby, Basset-Lowke, or Marklin `O' gauge trains you will want this book.  If you own or are interested in the new ACE three-rail, "ready to run" `O' gauge trains you will love this book.  `Brilliantly Old Fashioned - The Story of ACE `O' Gauge Trains" is all at the same time:

- a history of recent 3-rail European trains

- a catalog of the ACE production over the past ten years

- a view into how model trains are produced in today's global economy

- a scrapebook of pictures from train shows and events both in England and on the Continent

ACE Trains has rejuvenated the European 3-rail market with their new line of tinplate coaches, tank wagons, and locomotives and beautiful diecast locomotives.  This book, chuck full of pictures and engineering drawings, provides a full review of the ACE products as well as a highly readable narrative about how the products are made and the personalities involved in the business.  I highly recommend the book.
2511443
Great camera work of my favorite railroad with a variety of interesting angle makes for viewing that is hard to stop.  The quality of the picture is superb in my opinion.
2921897
When I saw this book mentioned by Don Phillips in the June 2006 "Trains" magazine it became a must purchase. Having read "The Wreck of the Penn Central"(1971), in about 1980, and having watched the demise of steam,as a kid, then the railroads themselves, I never thought I would see a day when railroads would get back on their feet - but they have. There are many factors as to why and this book spells them out. The story leads right up to today(July 2006)with one of the cast of characters from the book, John Snow, former CSX Chairman, who presided over the split of Conrail with Norfolk Southern, appearing on TV, as retiring Secretary of the U.S. Treasury. I could not put the book down. It is a great business school case study and though there are many good signs, the story has not ended. A prominent character in the book, Jim McClellan, former NS VP, notes at the end of the book that NS had used the "CSX Card" to persuade itself to innovate; but he worried about the future when relative peace and stability would reign between the two. As "Trains" notes there is constant pressure from shippers to get Washington to put the screws (just the right amount!)to the railroads because there are too few of them, meaning real or perceived lack of competition. Tom Murray, "Trains" magazine (July 2006) notes concern regarding performance improvement for two other key railroads, UP and BNSF, but also seems to agree with McClellan, that urgency is limited by strong revenues! Chapter One is worth reading again as a summary of where you have been, because it is a long complex train ride to the end. This chapter describes the phenominon and a theme of the book, of those who work to save and improve their industry and those who wish only to please a Wall Street, at the cost of everything else, and then, for the latter, to walk away at the end with staggering millions of dollars. It is also the story of old fashioned ethics, honor, dedication, and sense of responsibility - having the equivalent of an Ike or Nimitz, people for the ages, who appear on the scene at the right time, and who are able to cajole and convince other strong willed people of a path that is well to take.
2894333
I really enjoyed the book. I learned alot about the railroad that once traveled in KY.  I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in railroads.
1597875
Again, the setting is what I like about these books.  The Golden Age of passenger trains such as the Twentieth Century Limited and the various "City" trains such as the City of New Orleans and the City of San Francisco.  It is amazing telling the story from the perspective of the train crew.  But, with jet airplane travel reducing a journey from days to hours, passenger train travel and passenger ship travel was reduced significantly.  Now both of them are excursions rather than primary
252652
Terrific book on history of the train. Lots of pictures and publications offered by the train company. John Kelly did a wonderful job putting together the book.
1636191
I first read this book when I was 7 or 8 years old and even though it omits a number of large locomotives, including the Big Boy, Yellowstone, H-8 class Allegheny, and Southern Pacific Cab Forward, I still remember some interesting locomotives, including the Class 25 condensing locos built for South Africa, the PA class diesel locos built for the Santa Fe by ALCO, the ICE electric locos, the Shinkansen, and the P36 passenger steam locomotives built in the USSR. It is important to note that this book was published before the introduction of the Shinkansen 700 locos, Transrapid, and Acela high-speed trains.
2893759
If you loved the original Railroad Tycoon, you'll love Railroads!  Great fun.
2219367
Excellent book telling the story of how the MP emerged from 33 years of receivership to become one of America's best run railroads. Ultimately the MP was merged into the Union Pacific. The book is well documented with copious footnotes, but it is an easy read, telling the story of the men (mostly)  involved in the rebirth of the Missouri Pacific.
3172331
The Emperor's Knife is a story about the diseased Cerani Empire, suffering from a blight as well as from conspiracies at the highest levels.

An affliction plagues the lands. Marks appear on the skin of the afflicted and spread until the entire body shows the pattern. A mystery surrounds the pattern. No one knows its origin or how to prevent it. It is feared that it serves some sinister purpose, masterminded by a hidden architect with unrighteous designs for the empire. Great measures are taken to protect the kingdom-- all marked persons are put to death. But what happens when Emperor Beyon himself shows the marks?

The Empire is also being decimated from within. The people who enjoy the Emperor's trust plot against him, wrapping self-interest with a cloak of concern for the future of the Empire. In truth, old resentments and ambition lie at the heart of the deceptions.

Three unsuspecting people are caught up in all the machinations. Sarmin, the Emperor's only surviving brother and successor, has been locked up most of his life purportedly for his own protection. He possesses powers he has yet to discover. Mesema, a woman from a faraway tribe, is on her way to Cerani to be a bride for Sarmin, political bartering at work. Despite the mercenary horsetrading, however, her intended union with Sarmin seems pre-ordained by her talents. Eyul is the Emperor's Knife or assassin whose loyalty to the crumbling empire engenders to find a way to save it.

Mazarkis Williams employs a restrained, deliberate pace. The first quarter of the book is steeped in mystery and suggestion. It indicates something magical and sinister but it doesn't quite tell you what it is. There is a decidedly mysterious tone permeating the whole of this book. This increases the intrigue factor and keeps you reading.

Most of the characters are fascinating and engrossing, carrying out their unique parts in this tale. It stalls a bit when it comes to some of the interpersonal, romantic relationships. Some suffer a bit from not having enough background while others seem to come to an abrupt halt. This is a double-edged sword-- the only reason to feel the lack of a foundation is because of great curiosity and interest in these relationships.

The magic system is intriguing and powerful. There are mages that have elemental powers. There is precognition and clairvoyance. The magic that surrounds the pattern is also very fascinating. I do wish I knew more about how it all works. It shows you much about what it can do, but not enough of its source and its inner workings.

It is in the political subterfuge and machinations where this tale is most particularly developed and absorbing. Events unfold slowly, always indicating an unknown grand design. But the seemingly isolated and disjointed events are painstakingly tied together. All the planning and plotting lead to a comprehensive and satisfying resolution.

The Emperor's Knife will be enjoyed by those who are fond of exotic settings. There are palaces, deserts, horse tribes. It also has many Middle Eastern elements. It is a world with harsh, old-world traditions-- the primacy of royal blood, male dominance, familial possessions, class distinctions. While there is sword and sorcery, this tale is more mystical and cerebral.

I am more than sufficiently intrigued to want to read the next book. I'm attracted to the tone and mood of this tale and can see a vast landscape within which it can proceed.
482047
The author is one of America's finest railroad and transportation historians and he is at his best in writing about his home territory in Minnesota, Iowa and the Upper Midwest.  I was curious about the M& St. L from seeing as a kid its locomotives featured in Lionel's O-gauge catalog and this book will satisfy any rail fan or railroad professional's curiosity about this "fallen flag."  Don does an excellent job in bringing the railroad to life.  Although not having enough photos to my liking, Don makes up for it in a subsequent volume "The Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway: A Photographic History."  This volume will be a classic and is well worth the price and 5 stars.