"With plenty of detail, Grant brings a bygone era back to life, addressing everything from social and commercial appeal, racial and gender issues, safety concerns, and leaps in technology. But Grant never loses sight of the big picture and the essential role the railroads played in American life. He writes with authority and clarity in a work that can appeal to both casual and hardcore enthusiasts."-- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "With its wealth of vignettes and more than 100 black-and-white illustrations, Railroads and the American People does a fine job of humanizing the iron horse."-- Wall Street Journal "Consisting of hundreds of vignettes containing a wealth of detailed descriptions and remembrances, Grant's work is highly recommended to train buffs and others in love with early railroading."-- LIBRARY JOURNAL "Is it necessary to comment on an established author such as Roger Grant. Heavens, he is a fine scholar and writes better than Hemingway!"--John White, author of The American Railroad Passenger Car "Railroad historian Grant . has written an engaging book of train stories, detailing their social influence from 1830 to 1930.

Highly recommended. "-- Choice "Read this book slowly, allowing the wealth of detail--which is the book's great strength--time to sink in. You will find yourself thinking about certain details after hours, each reader resonating with some different aspect of the map Grant creates. Re-reading, some other aspect will surface. Grant's book leaves you wishing for more."-- Indiana Magazine of History "Grant very successfully identifies the countless ways that railroads have touched the lives of ordinary Americans and rail enthusiast communities such as ours as well."-- Michigan Railfan "Bronze Medal, 2012 ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year 2013 AAUP Public and Secondary School Library Selection, Outstanding rating Gold Medal, Automotive / Aviation / Railroad category, 2014 Independent Publisher Book Awards"--.