How America's Highways Were Built
585640
The Interstate Highway System is known today as a key part of the United States' transportation system and infrastructure. However, like all such large projects, it did not come about overnight. The Big Roads explores the history of how the Interstate Highway System we know today came to be.

Several key individuals are presented in the book. People like Frank Turner and Thomas MacDonald, along with many others, who had a passion for roads and highways and saw the benefit of such transportation systems.

The origins of the system go back to the early twentieth century when cars were just making their debut in America. Roads were often poorly made consisting of dirt or gravel which would turn to mud in poor weather. Efforts to improve those roads by both the federal and state governments succeeded which later led to the creation of the U.S. Highway project. New roads were paved all over the country.

Eventually, the time came for a new and improved system of highways to facilitate commerce and people movement all over the country. Government engineers began drawing up plans and performing studies as to what such a system would look like during World War II. However, the war effort put the project on the back burner for a while. It was not until 1956 that Congress finally appropriated money to fund the system of roads.

Engineers were excited about the project and so was the American public. In the post-war years, the United States was having an economic boom and cars included that. Americans were excited about the prospect of travelling across country on brand-new roads.

Not everyone was happy though. Starting in the 1960s, with construction well underway all over the country, many city residents were unhappy over planned routes that threatened established neighborhoods or historical sites. The book examines in detail the case of Baltimore, Maryland where residents were successful in stopping the building of parts of Interstate routes.

The Interstate Highway System ended up being the largest public works project in world history. I found The Big Roads to be an excellent and enjoyable history of the decision-making and people who made it possible. I would recommend this book to those interested in learning about it.
3775695
The first part of this book provides an interesting and fascinating history of the development of highways and vehicle technology/safety in America, which alone is a worthwhile read.  This leads into the history of how the 55 mph national speed limit and its eventual repeal affected Americans' views on speed.  There is also a lot of data and firsthand accounts of the German Autobahn and the different way of thinking about driving and safety in that country.

As someone who was already a strong supporter of the "keep right except to pass" rule and experiencing firsthand its benefit on the German highways as well, this book impressed by providing me with a lot of additional information and helped shape my thinking on how to approach arguments advocating the "Fast and Safe" future.  Much of the book is visionary descriptions of how things would/could be with improvements to our system of driving in the United States, as well as many practical suggestions of laws, rule changes, and personal behaviors that can help to bring these things about.

Highly recommended.
2480252
The Railroads That Tamed the West looks at the construction of the railroads between 1869 (the completion of the transcontinental railroad) and the 1930s (when air travel started to replace rail travel).  Topics portrayed include the challenges facing railroaders, the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869, dangers of rail travel, hazards of being a railroad worker, the invention of the coupler, the development of the air brake, George Pullman and the improvement of sleeping cars, dining cars, immigrants, competition among survey teams, the Homestead Act of 1862, the creation of towns, freight transport, refrigeration cars, the establishment of standard railroad time, and James Hill and the Great Northern Railway.  The video concludes with a consideration of how the railroad industry sought to conserve the West by promoting the national park system.  I show this video as part of my Westward Movement unit in my American history classes and have found it to be an effective teaching tool (but it does contain one expletive so you might want to inform students ahead of time).  Still, this video strikes a good balance between economic history and the history of technology.
2469517
This is one of the most important works of American history ever produced. If you want to understand how we got where we are, you must read this account of where we started.
4469348
Great read with great info on the Pan American Highway through Central America. This book was a big help when preparing for the trip. Some of the boarder crossing info is out of date but is still really helpful to know each step of the process. Also walks you through trip prep fairly well. Would definitely recommend if you are looking to venture down the Pan American Highway by car.
1484653
I received Americas Covered Bridges as a birthday present from my daughter.  As a retired engineer living in Greene County Ohio, where we have five covered bridges still in existence, she thought this book would be a great winter read for me.  All I can say is she was absolutely right except I couldn't wait for winter to read it!  The book not only highlights the beautiful bridges (loads of great pictures) still in use today throughout the country and Canada but it also gives the reader an excellent understanding of the history and construction technology behind the development of the covered bridge in America.  Americas Covered Bridges should be a must read for every civil engineer (I plan on giving my own civil engineer son-in-law his own copy for Christmas so he won't borrow mine!) and architect in America.  American history and early transportation enthusiasts would find this to be an excellent book to read and constantly refer to.  The book will have a permanent place on our family room coffee table.
2139237
This book is dedicated to the pioneer Americans who made their tools, a symbol of sincerity, integrity, and excellence. Mass production made their tools obsolete, along with early individualism, said the author. There was a special tool for every job (pp.vi-vii). In Early America a museum referred to a library of collected facts (p.xi). Shovels were made of wood to prevent harm to grain and apples 9p.xii). A house built of posts and beams used wooden pins which don't rust and loosen like nails. Sloane says that studying the tools used by pioneer Americans reveals their conscience and personality. Things were built to be honest and long-lasting, not to make the most money. There are 48 short chapters and an Index. These drawings are very interesting.

"The Romance of Tools" says a tool was an extension of a man's hand. Some gave pet names to a tool then (p. 3), some do today. The Civil War period marked a new era in tool design because of mass-production (p. 5). Axe handles became curved, not straight; their end had a "Fawn foot", "Scroll knob", or "Swell knob" (p. 7). Early American tools had a traditional design with subtle differences and decorative touches that identify the region of origin (p. 6). An ax was the most important tool for early Americans: clear the land of trees, cut fuel, build a house or furniture. Early axes were poll-less; the poll added weight for chopping. There were more than 50 patterns of Axe heads (p. 12). The Broad Axe was used to hew round logs into square beams (p. 14). Early American roofs were thatched, shingling hatchets were unknown. The claw hammer hasn't changed much since Roman times (p. 22). Square-cut nails had greater holding power than round
 nails.

Log-house notches were often made with only an ax (pp. 24-25). An adze was used to smooth surfaces (pp. 26-27). Scorps hollowed-out wood (pp. 28-29). Wedges and froes were used to split wood for shingles, clapboards, and lathes (pp. 30-33). Benches and horses were also tools (pp. 34-37). The drawknife was used to trim wood, tool handles, spokes, etc. (pp. 38-39). Wood was harvested and fastened into giant rafts for transport (pp. 40-41). Wood was used in making apple butter and cider (pp. 46-47). Two-headed tools are rare (pp. 50-51). There are many kinds of chisels (used to make mortises) and gouges (pp. 52-55). Planes were used for smoothing and shaping wood (pp. 56-65). The various types of saws are described (pp. 66-71).

Awls, reams, augers, and gimlets made holes in wood (pp. 72-77). Braces or bitstocks drilled holes (pp. 78-81). There are other tools (pp. 82-85). Sledges were important to move heavy or bulky objects (pp. 86-87) when wheeled vehicles could not be used. Various jacks lifted or moved heavy objects (pp. 88-89). Most tools can be traced to early blacksmiths (pp. 90-91). Nails were made by hand (pp. 92-93). Tanners treated rough hides, curriers scraped and softened hides with special tools (pp. 94-95). Wheelwrights created spoked wheels held together by an iron outer rim (pp. 96-97). There were specialized hammers: flails, flinting picks, bricklayers hammer, ice axe, zaxes (for slate), etc. (pp. 98-99). Hay knives cut hay from a haystack; the hay-spade knife also cut up pumpkins (pp. 100-101). Scythes and snaths were used to cut grass for hay (pp. 102-103). There are other tools that were common a century ago (pp. 104-105).
3995374
Chicago has been, and continues to be the major transportation hub of the United States. As such, the history and evolution of passenger transportation has played a pivotal role in shaping the development, architectural landscape and history of this great American city. Using Chicago's railway stations, bus depots and airports as touchstones, Schwieterman illustrates the rise, decline and evolution of passenger transportation of the United States. Well researched, loaded with detail, and vividly illustrated, Terminal Town appeals to amateur historians, architectural devotee's and "train buffs" alike.

Although it might have taken the book away from its' central theme a bit, an overview of how the changing regulatory landscape of the 70's and 80's dramatically accelerated the exit of railroads from the passenger business simultaneous with the kick-off of a period of explosive growth in the airline industry, would have added a layer of insight into explosive mode shifting market forces of the era.

None the less, Terminal City appropriately celebrates these structures as part of Chicago's urban landscape and, frames their historic impact on the city around a portrait of the industries that built them.
2730795
The only drawback to this book is that it is truly organized around stretches of highway.  If you haven't drive all of them it may be hard to figure out at first.  It would be a great book to take in the car with you.  It is a good resource in any case.
2437621
When I was buying this box set, I was imaging bridges, tunnels, forest, mountains, and a lot of american landscapes. Now my family and I are enjoying it. You can see trains in winter, summer, auttum and spring.
The set includes:
1.- Continental Divide & Donner Summit
2.- The Surfline & California Western
3.- The Blue Mountains& Mt. Rainier
4.- Great Mississippi & Shenandoah
5.- Durango & Silverton adn Cumbres & Toltec
6.- Rio Grande & Union Pacific
If your want to see 12 hours of railroading, this is for you.
2203080
Ever wonder what it would be like to find and drive all the abandoned rt 66 alignments? These guys did it so you don't have to.
Not always a fun or easy journey.
Not a scholarly tome, but containing enough names,  places, and dates to make for a knowledgeable trip.
Reading this book is the next best thing to making the drive.
669039
This is an accurate history of the role that the westward railroad expansion played in creating North America.  If a person wants his/her own look into that history,  this book is a part of the puzzle.  Unfortunately for the railroads, and perhaps for all of us in North America, the U S Government build the Panama Canal, and all the dreams and hard work that Schwantes chronicles came to naught.  Perhaps  with the demand for fossil fuel transport the lines may prosper again, but more than likely not.  A good book, and a welcome addition any library.
2377174
I really liked this book.  It is very detailed and some might find it a little too detailed and longish.  But it is a very captivating account of both the French failed effort to build a Panama Canal and then the United States effort under Teddy Roosevelt, although it wasn't completed until Wilson was President.  The project lasted from 1904 to 1914.  The U. S. congress voted to have the canal built in Nicaragua but after hearing from many sides, Teddy went ahead and ordered that the canal be build in Panama.

Panama was part of Columbia then, but somehow (and perhaps a bit underhandedly) the U. S. managed to help the Panamanians finally get their own country.

McCullough is his usual thorough writer and this will not be a one night read, except for Evelyn Woods.  dI had the Kindle version which wasn't good for the maps involved, but I was able to see the maps better on my computer version of the download.

If you are interested in American history, you will find that this story will fascinate you.
1021381
It directs you to where you want to go. Sturdy construction - should be long lasting. Years of country road travel with this guide.
3266477
Being a retired Locomotive Engineer, I found myself being educated on the way this country built this accepted mode of transportation, which is so well utilized to this date. The backdoor deals which allowed for payment, the thinking outside the box to hire people who could build and support this new wave of transportation, and the sort of back ground dealings, which are devious to say the least, were needed to complete the great efforts being made by the CP and UP to complete the task ordered by President Lincoln.
I truly appreciated the author's efforts to make the story come alive, as the builders endured great obstacles in building. transporting, delivering, and continuing such an exceptionally challenge. Because of their persistence, today we can enjoy a trip through time and appreciate a job well done in assisting this country in becoming a world power, in the movement of passengers, and goods.
3302230
I knew that the Panama Canal connected east and west but never thought too much about its construction. David McCullough does his usual thorough (and readable) job  as the reader learns step-by-step what a tremendous undertaking it was. I highly recommend this book.
3011769
I remember stumbling on a very thorough website that detailed why our federal roads are numbered the way they are and all the permutations that go therein and lemme tell you sugar babies, I was WRAPT!

If you're that kinda reader. You'll love this book. It thoroughlly chronicles, for posterity, the development of the greatest human endavour since, well, the Roman roads.

This book will introduce you to the people who really brought  the modern federal and interstate highway system to fruition. Names of gentlemen you've never heard of, who were critical to this road system that we venture out upon to fulfill that old, uniquely American, wanderlust. The wanderlust of "go west young man", "the grapes of wrath","on the road", and "it happened one night." with one key difference. High speed, no intersections, no traffic lights, and no rivers or train crossings to spoil your unstoppable journey; Until, of course, Rush Hour!

The author details these, till now, not widely known transportation types that really put the petal to the metal of putting a surface, nationwide, beneath our tires. Not particularly General/President Eisenhower though; He does seem to have a bit of a piqu about him.

But that element of this book was kinda fun, and I enjoyed this read as much as I enjoy hitting the open road thanks to these men and their deeds profiled in this work.