Nothing Like It In The World

The Men Who Built The Transcontinental Railroad 1863 - 1869

By: Stephen E. Ambrose

Narrated by: Jeffrey DeMunn

In this New York Times bestseller, Stephen Ambrose brings to life the story of the building of the transcontinental railroad, from the men who financed it to the engineers and surveyors who risked their lives to the workers who signed on for the dangerous job.

Nothing Like It in the World gives the account of an unprecedented feat of engineering, vision, and courage. It is the story of the men who built the transcontinental railroad—the investors who risked their businesses and money; the enlightened politicians who understood its importance; the engineers and surveyors who risked, and sometimes lost, their lives; and the Irish and Chinese immigrants, the defeated Confederate soldiers, and the other laborers who did the backbreaking and dangerous work on the tracks.

The U.S. government pitted two companies—the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific Railroads—against each other in a race for funding, encouraging speed over caution. Locomotives, rails, and spikes were shipped from the East through Panama or around South America to the West or lugged across the country to the Plains. In Ambrose's hands, this enterprise, with its huge expenditure of brainpower, muscle, and sweat, comes vibrantly to life.©2000 Stephen E. Ambrose, All Rights Reserved; (P)2000 Simon & Schuster, Inc., All Rights Reserved; AUDIOWORKS Is an Imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Private Enterprise wins again!

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

How much the completion of this railroad was at the hands of the Chinese. They worked very hard, did the jobs nobody else did, and found respect. They earned it not only from their labor, but how they managed themselves and their camps. They ate healthy foods, were not drunks like the others, and did their work. Great examples to us all!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The harsh treatment of the Chinese and how they handled themselves; who in return earned the respect of everyone else by the examples they lived.

You'd be hard-pressed to invent a better story.

Would you consider the audio edition of Nothing Like It in the World to be better than the print version?

I first read the print version a few years ago and loved it. I have been thinking about the story and got the audible version to hear it again.

What other book might you compare Nothing Like It in the World to and why?

Stephen Ambrose had a knack for telling history in a interesting way. His Undaunted Courage is also one of my favorites. So too Band of Brothers. Blue Yonder not so good.

Have you listened to any of Jeffrey DeMunn’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I don't think I've heard this reader before. It was a good performance but there were times I noticed wrong inflections that didn't coincide with the intended meaning.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Nothing Like It In The World

ChinaMen

The prose of Ambrose is always informative with good summations/outcomes! The work ethic of Chinamen vs Irish very interesting.

Great listening

Balanced and well-researched, it's an enjoyable listen for anyone interested in history, business or politics.

Couldn’t be better

Couldn’t have been better. Attempts have been made to turn this into a tv show but this book is amazing. Well laid out. I like to listen to it before I fall asleep. I find myself playing chapters more than once just because some of the information is so good. The only complaint I have is that the author didn’t write more pre-20th century books. Not really interested in 20th century stories.