The Railroad Builders: A Chronicle of the Welding of the States

"The Railroad Builders: A Chronicle of the Welding of the States" by John Moody is a recounting of the rapid expansion of train lines across America during the 1800s, and how that transportation boom shaped the country. It portrays the initial reluctance that many had in embracing locomotives, as canals and other established methods of transport had already proven successful. The narrative highlights important inventions and operational strides that allowed steam-powered trains become the dominant way of moving goods and people. The telling of the rise of railroads shows the competition and money that defined the era, along with the influential leaders like Commodore Vanderbilt who constructed them.