BOOK REVIEW: Nothing Like It In The World
Book Review: Nothing Like It In The World: The Men Who Built the Transcontinental Railroad 1863-69 by Stephen Ambrose
★★★★☆ (4 out of 5 stars)
Nothing Like It in the World: The Men Who Built the Transcontinental Railroad 1863-69, by Stephen Ambrose, is a killer piece of historical storytelling that brought me back to my childhood. I was raised by a dad who had a passion for trains. He was fascinated by steam engines, and he passed that fascination on to me with stories, books, and, if he could manage it, the occasional trip to see a train up close. To this day, a visit to the Train Museum in Old Sacramento with the smell of locomotive grease creates an immediate sense of nostalgia, so when I picked up Ambrose’s book, I knew I was in for a treat.
The story of the transcontinental railroad is nothing short of epic. It’s a tale of visionaries, gamblers, laborers, and pioneers who all contributed to this monumental feat. At the heart of it all are the “Big Four”—Leland Stanford, Collis P. Huntington, Charles Crocker, and Mark Hopkins. These men risked their fortunes, their reputations, and in some ways their lives to see the railroad completed. Ambrose captures their ambition, ingenuity, and audacity in a way that’s both inspiring and humbling. Their methods for heading west was enough to demonstrate their fortitude. Six months by horse, wagon or ship with the daily risk of disease or death is something everyone should read. Then the completion of the road—whether by building, funding, or politicking—showcase the sheer willpower it took to cross the seemingly endless American wilderness.
What interested me was the role Abraham Lincoln played in this saga. Ambrose makes it clear that Lincoln understood the railroad’s importance not just as a means of transportation but as a lifeline for the Union. In the midst of the Civil War, Lincoln’s vision stretched beyond the immediate crisis. He saw the railroad as a unifying force that would bind the country together long after the cannons had fallen silent. That kind of foresight and strategic thinking is awe-inspiring and a testament to his extraordinary leadership.
The unsung heroes of this narrative, however, are the thousands of Chinese laborers who made the western leg of the railroad possible. Ambrose doesn’t shy away from the grueling conditions they faced—dangerous explosives, brutal weather, and relentless workdays. They risked everything for the chance to earn a living and carve out a place in the American story. It’s sobering to consider their sacrifices and how often their contributions have been overlooked in history. The fortitude they displayed stands in stark contrast to the comfort and convenience we’ve grown accustomed to today. Their story challenges us to consider what we might be capable of if we were willing to endure such hardship for something greater than ourselves.
Ambrose’s writing brings these stories to life with vivid detail and a deep respect for his subjects. He makes it clear that the transcontinental railroad wasn’t just a technological marvel; it was a testament to human determination and ingenuity. For those of us who grew up marveling at the power and beauty of trains, this book feels like a love letter to that wonder. For everyone else, it’s a reminder of what can be accomplished when vision, grit, and collaboration come together.
Quietly making noise,
Fletch
