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Railways

Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Railways by Christian Wolmar offers a concise and authoritative exploration of how railways transformed the world. Tracing the origins from Britain and the USA in the 1830s through the rapid expansion across continents, the book highlights railways' role in economic growth, social change, engineering innovation, and warfare. Wolmar reveals how this 'iron road' shaped modern society like no other technology before the Internet and remains vital today.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$3999
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is ideal for readers interested in travel, adventure, transportation history, and the societal impact of technological innovation, particularly those fascinated by railways and industrial advancement.

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From Britain's most popular railway historian, a concise, authoritative and fast-paced telling of how the railways changed the world.

From Britain's most popular railway historian, a concise, authoritative and fast-paced telling of how the railways changed the world.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

From Britain's most popular railway historian, a concise, authoritative and fast-paced telling of how the railways changed the world.

The arrival of the railways in the first half of the nineteenth century and their subsequent spread across every one of the world's continents acted as a spur for economic growth and social change on an extraordinary scale. The 'iron road' stimulated innovation in engineering and architecture, enabled people and goods to move around the world more quickly than ever before, and played a critical role in warfare as well as in the social and economic spheres.

Christian Wolmar describes the emergence of modern railways in both Britain and the USA in the 1830s, and elsewhere in the following decade. He charts the surge in railway investment plans in Britain in the early 1840s and the ensuing 'railway mania' (which created the backbone of today's railway network), and the unstoppable spread of the railways across Europe, America and Asia. Above all, he assesses the global impact of a technology that, arguably, had the most transformative impact on human society of any before the coming of the Internet, and which, as it approaches two centuries of existence, continues to play a key role in human society in the twenty-first century.

"A lucid and engaging account of the far-reaching effects that trains have had upon society" โ€“ The Railway & Canal Historical Society

Series: The Landmark Library

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  • Railways
    From Britain's most popular railway historian, a concise, authoritative and fast-paced telling of how the railways changed the world. The arrival of the railways in the first half of the nineteenth century and their subsequent spread across every one of the world's continents acted as a spur for economic growth and social change on an extraordinary scale. The 'iron road'...
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    Available
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Christian Wolmar is celebrated for his stimulating and lucid writing. The Railway & Canal Historical Society praises this work as an engaging account of the profound effects trains have had on society. Previous works by Wolmar received acclaim from The Times and Daily Express for their wit, fluency, and fascinating insights into engineering history.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781788549851

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 08 December 2022

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Apollo

Illustration: 35 integrated colour

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 18.0mm

Width: 134.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 220g

Pages: 256

About the Author

Christian Wolmar is an author and broadcaster specialising in transport matters. He writes regularly for The Times and the Guardian. His many books include The Subterranean Railway; the bestselling Fire and Steam: How the Railways Transformed Britain; Railways and the Raj; and (for Head of Zeus, 2018) The Story of Crossrail.

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