The Road Builders

"The Road Builders" by Samuel Merwin is a story set in the early 1900s Southwest, highlighting the drama in building a railroad. It is centered on Paul Carhart, the chief engineer, portraying his leadership as he deals with logistical problems and the many personalities within his team. The book starts in the busy town of Sherman, where building a new station is slowed down by a missing cook and restless workers on a hot spring day. It shows how hard engineers like Young Van work, facing pressure and worrying about possible labor troubles trying to find the missing cook, Purple Finn. The theme revolves around the difficulties of engineering while encouraging a team spirit among the engineers. The story focuses on how they solve problems with a mixed group of laborers.