Trains and Railroads Books

This is a beautiful book. It is beautiful to look at, it is beautiful to read. The words have a symbiotic relationship with the illustrations, and the illustrations with the words. Together they tell a story that in lesser hands would be just another one of those "we built a bigger better longer something" book, but in the capable hands of the writer and designer they tell the story of Grand Central Terminal - which is basically a story of engineering and city planning - as if they were witnessing the miracle of birth, which, of course, they were. We gave the book to a ten-year old girl who lives next door. She shyly took it, opened it, looked at it, thanked us, and disappeared with it.

As this interesting new book tells us, there is a lot more to Grand Central Terminal than the present building. The story behind the Terminal is fascinating, and it's told here in a compelling, accessible fashion that both competent young readers and adults can enjoy. Author has a warm, chatty style that works well for the story, which gets complex at times. Book is gorgeous to look at as well--stunning photos, although too bad some are so small. Nice maps, time line, glossary, etc. Overall, extremely informative and highly recommended.

A excellent book for anyone interested in history of
Eastern, Pa.
Charles J. Adams 111 books are always well written.

I was born and raised in Abington, PA, I found this book in the local library and have since purchased it. Using actual reports from newpapers along with their rather gruesome sketches, the book is a tomb of true horror stories. For someone interested in the expansive railraod history which resides in southeastern Pennsylavina this book gives the other side of the story. One final comment, to anyone whom is willing, the sites listed in the stories are not hard to find, and are indeed frightening to image what occured so many years ago.

My two toddlers love this colorful rhyming boardbook and its companion masterpiece Hooray For Truckmice. These computer generated illustrations scream with vibrant colors that will inflame the imagination of even the most jaded toddler reader. The simple rhymes are charming. You can't buy a better book for your youngsters for less money than this high quality, small boardbook.

We bought this book for our son when he was about six months old. Ever since, it's a lock to hold his attention. The text is brief with simple rhyming lines. The illustrations are bright and clear, but not too detailed. It doesn't really tell a story. More accurately, it highlights some key elements of train travel (whistles, the dining car, a caboose). It's a cute book, but frankly, I'm not sure I "get" what is so interesting to my son. Regardless, when I'm putting him to bed and we choose a book to read, he will usually reach for this one. And as any parent knows, when you find something that works, don't question it.

I received this book as a gift from my Late Aunt back in 1968. To this day, I still occasionally get it out to peruse it. The black and white photographs of the freight trains and passenger consists, particularly the mixtures of types of cars and locomotives, all add up to make this book unique among its peers.

At 38 years of age, I don't feel I'm old enough to say things like "they just don't make 'em like they used to," but I'll say that about this book.

This was the second train book I got as a young boy, after a Christmas present book on train wrecks. I've bought quite a few others over the years, but this one remains supreme for me, I guess because you just can't find what lies between its pages in real life anymore.

All black and white photography, the images in this book are exceptional, not because most of them are the good ol' standard 3/4 shot, but because they capture an age, a time and a grace that seems almost haunting today. Some of the photography from the west screams out a loneliness that only a skilled and experienced photographer can achieve.

The text also provides a desirable companion to the photography, explaining the location, the railroad, or the activity in a way that truly complements the imagery.

Once I pick up the book, I find it hard to put down until I've gone through the entire thing cover to cover, just one more time. I don't know if this book will ever be in reprint, but if you can get ahold of it, snap it up. They don't make 'em like this anymore.

Charles L. Blockson is unarguably the 20th Century's foremost Underground Railroad historian and the author of several informative books on this great American movement. This book is his opus magnum. It is comprehensive, and should be on the shelf of every student of the subject, in every library and historical society.

This is an excellent book if you are looking for information about specific locations on the Underground Railroad. This book provides detailed information organized by states, and makes an excellent reference book. It is a unique book because of its reference qualities. Blockson's The Underground Railroad 1987 book provides more emphasis on first person narratives of escapes to freedom in the North. If you are looking for Underground Railroad reference locations, purchase Blockson's Guide to The Underground Railroad. If you are looking for first person narratives of escaped slaves, purchase Blockson's The Underground Railroad.

My wife and I are active volunteers in the local trolley museum and this book is invaluable in the restoration of some of the Brill cars we are working on as well as giving us a sense of the history behind those units in the museum's collection.

This book is fantastic - it's remarkably informative and the amount of research that went into this book is evident on every page!!

James has a wonderful adventure. Any Thomas fan would enjoy listening to him time and time again. Mine do!

My son who is now 4 has been a Thomas nut for 2 years. The book/cd combination are great for extra bedtime storytelling!

This book is very informative and has loads of pictures.
It is fun to read and I recommend it to any collector of
toy trains. The author also has written an excellent book
on the Lionel postwar F3 locomotive. Both books are a great
resource for collectors and fans of Lionel trains.

This book is loaded with research and photo's of Lionel Postwar Space and Military Trains. How many years of study and collecting did this take to compile Joe? What a masterpiece of Toy Train History. Thanks, Joe!

This book is illustrated beautifully !

This is a great book, but make sure you get the original illustrations. The illustrations by Phil A. Smouse (isbn 1577480813) are insipid, a big contrast to the original illustrations (by George and Doris Hauman) which are charming. The version I have is isbn 0448405202 but it appears that other versions probably also have the originals.

Great story, my 3&4 yr olds love to hear it night after night.

The Little Engine That Could and the Big Chase

Strongly recommended for pre-schoolers that are just getting started reading. Teaches another one of Life's lessons.


Gunner September 2007