Last Train to Paradise

Henry Flagler and the Spectacular Rise and Fall of the Railroad That Crossed an Ocean

By: Les Standiford

Narrated by: Del Roy

The paths of the great American robber barons were paved with riches, and though ordinary citizens paid for them, they also profited. Les Standiford, author of the John Deal thrillers, tells how the man who turned Florida's swamps into the playgrounds of the rich performed the almost superhuman feat of building a railroad from the mainland to Key West at the turn of the century. An extraordinary man and partner of John D. Rockefeller in the Standard Oil Company, Flagler had the vision to build railroads to link this backward territory with the rest of America. Last Train to Paradise shows how he masterminded the nearly impossible engineering feat of spanning more than 100 miles of ocean and islands to reach the southernmost tip of the Eastern seaboard.

©2002 Les Standiford (P)2002 Books On Tape, Inc., Published by arrangement with Random House Audio Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A powerful story told by a talented writer." (Library Journal)
"This book is a remarkable account of one man's dream that ended in disaster." (Booklist)

Flagler's Folly

A reasonably entertaining story about an outlandish plan to extend railroad into the sea (not exactly crossing an ocean). However, the author's presentation is a bit overly sympathetic to the man behind the plan (Henry Flagler), at times bordering on sycophantic. A famous robber baron and visionary, Flagler is a worthy subject for biography, but after the umpteenth time the author defends him against accusations and lawsuits of unfair labor practices, up to an including engaging slave labor, one has to wonder how reputable or admirable a man he was. What we do know, is that his "folly", which later became known as "the Eighth Wonder of the World", ultimately did fail. Despite the engineering feats that were achieved to complete (not to mention the loss of life and health to workers), it couldn't withstand the force of a category 5 hurricane. This fact is rather belabored as well, seeming to rationalize that only the storm of the century could have destroyed this marvel. Yet it did, and part of its folly is that it was inevitable, as the author foreshadows with irony in an early chapter, defining tragedy. 22 years is worthy of note, but architecture built to last centuries or millennia, that is truly impressive.

First audio book

It was very Interesting as well as well read. Great book to begin my audible membership.

Great slice if Florida history

A must " Read " , if you live or visit Florida. Henry Flagler was such a big part of the development of the State.

Last train to paradise

Great book. Plan to go to the museum in West Palm Beach in the near future!

loved it!

I am very familiar with the keys. I can only imagine what it was like cutting through the mangrove forest in the early 1900s. those workers all lived through hell.

Great historical & biographical account of the railway and Florida Keys

Really enjoyed learning about the history of the south Florida railroad, trials & tribulations. Well written, well read. More historical events than you’d ever read about or hear in history class.

Great insight into forgotten Florida

I’m biased. I live in Florida, albeit is transplant – isn’t everyone? I’ve been up and down the east coast more times that I can count. I can picture every town and place in this book, albeit as it is today. I have seen the hulking wreck of Henry Flagler's railway on the way to Key West. I wanted to know more. This book did not disappoint.

Fascinating story

An amazing story of an incredible man whose vision and tenacity constructed the eighth wonder of the world. Masterly narrated by Del Roy.

Great fodder for Florida voyage

On a trip to and from the Keys and St. Augustine listened to this fascinating story of the Standard Oil magnate who played a major role in developing modern Florida.
Hemingway, Hurricanes, landmarks, railroad engineering marvels. Ambition, tragedy, and triumph. This story has it all.

HENRY FLAGLER

I Very much "Enjoyed the Book"
Henry Flagler was quite an individual.
My First audio book and the narrator was
Excellent.