Making Tracks

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

In 1988 Pindell, on leave from his job as a teacher, and having recently failed to be elected mayor of Keene, N.H., took a train ride, traveling each of Amtrak's 31 lines, covering 30,000 miles and visiting all but three of 48 contiguous states. His captivating account of that year is both travelogue and history lesson. Although Pindell does not fail to detail the disagreeable--schedule delays and some unlovely company--he concentrates on the salubrious aspects of passenger life and shows that trains offer a unique way of seeing the U.S. This grandson of a railroad engineer also recalls how the great railway empires were built, with chicanery and constructions often working hand in hand, and relates delightful train legends, such as one about Daddy Joe, the Paul Bunyan of Pullman porters. ( July)

Library Journal

During 1988 Pindell traveled all of Amtrak's long-distance routes in a quest to integrate past and present. Along the way he discovered a cross-section of the American people who related their reasons for taking ``the road less traveled.'' Vignettes on the history of railroading in the United States help tie together the elements of his search. Pindell shows not only how enjoyable train travel can still be in this age of airplanes and automobiles, but also how the railroad shaped the country. A well-written chronicle of discovery, recommended for travel and Americana collections.-- Stephen H. Peters, Northern Michigan Univ. Lib., Marquette

Booknews

Pindell is articulate, informed, tells a good story of the trains and trainmen. He covered virtually the entire Amtrak system during 1988. History and personal anecdotes. Good book. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)