Nothing Like It in the World

The Men Who Built the Transcontinental Railroad 1863-1869

By: Stephen E. Ambrose

Narrated by: Jeffrey DeMunn

Nothing Like It in the World is the story of the men who built the transcontinental railroad. In Ambrose's hands, this enterprise comes to life. 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. As its peak the work force approached the size of Civil War armies, with as many as 15,000 workers on each line. The surveyors, the men who picked the route, lived off buffalo, deer, and antelope.

In building a railroad, there is only one decisive spot - the end of the track. Nothing like this great work had ever been seen in the world when the last spike - a golden one - was driven in Promontory Peak, Utah, in 1869, as the Central Pacific and Union Pacific tracks were joined.

Ambrose writes with power and eloquence about the brave men - the famous and the unheralded, ordinary men doing the extraordinary - who accomplished the spectacular feat that made the continent into a nation.

©2000 Stephen E. Ambrose (P)2000 Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Critic reviews

"... telling of the railroad's physical construction will be a sure winner with the author's legions of readers." ( Booklist)

"... bears the reader on shoulders of wonder and excitement." ( The New York Times)

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.

Who knew...

Who knew that Abe Lincoln’s other big accomplishment was ram rodding a national rail road through a dysfunctional congress at the same time he was leading the country through a political and social explosion.
Who knew that the military minds of that other Lincoln accomplishment pivoted to lead the race across the American Outback?
Who knew that many of the complex financial structures that caused the Great Recession of 2008-2011 were concocted to finance the rail road?

A fascinating and gripping account of a race designed to bridge the gap between the civilized East and the resource rich west while fighting a historic war and avoiding a government owned commercial enterprise. Fact rich, background heavy, fast moving and smartly told. I enjoyed it from start to finish and now have context on how this massive project changed the country forever.

History by Amborse is not dry, it is exciting.

Would you listen to Nothing Like It in the World again? Why?

Yes, As a history buff I long to listen and read to historiains who can informe you on a historical fact without putting you to sleep. Plus lean something you did not know that you can pass on to others and have them say " I did not know that".

Who was your favorite character and why?

General Dodge. Fantasic person with vision.

Which scene was your favorite?

The Union Pacific crossing that plains and confronting the Indian tribes. Some many broken promises and you see how the lasting conflicts would and did develop.

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

When the Central Pacific and Union Pacific met. We truly became a Nation joined.

Amazing narration of an incredible feat

You can't go wrong with Steven Ambrose, nor can you with a narration of such a defining era in American history.

Abridged would be better

Hi - I like railroads and thought I’d get my money’s worth with a long book but a condensed version would of been better IMHO

Great story of how America became settled .

Tells the true story of how the railroad was built The good,bad and sometimes ugly ,men are not perfect and we should not judge the past by today's standards, Like my aunt Phyllis told me put yourself in those peoples position and you would do the same thing.

Really enjoyed it. Strange two minute breaks between chapters.

It’s a great story, an amazing moment in our history, lots of great characters. For some reason the narrator’s volume is lower than other books, but I enjoyed the calm understated style. A curiosity is that there are periods of dead silence about two minutes long after the end of each chapter.