Nothing Like It In The World

Abridged
Author: Stephen E. Ambrose
Narrator: Jeffrey DeMunn
Genres: History
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date: August 2000
Length: 6 hours
Ratings:
  • Book Rating: 3/5
Formats:
  • CD
  • WMA

Overview

In this account of an unprecedented feat of engineering, vision, and courage, Stephen E. Ambrose offers an historical successor to his universally acclaimed "Undaunted Courage."

"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. At 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, living 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 the 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.

Reviews (2)

Lots of names and places

Written by Matt from Chicago on September 30th, 2005

  • Book Rating: 3/5

This book may be a historical successor to “Undaunted Courage,” but I didn’t find it nearly as interesting or engaging. The story of the transcontinental railroad is very interesting, and Ambrose does a good job putting the whole affair in proper perspective as one of the most important man-made achievements ever. However, due to the sheer number of people involved in the process, the book – at least the abridged version – doesn’t have the time to develop the main characters, outside of 1 or 2 very important people. Also, if you listen to this book, it would be helpful to have a map nearby so you can visualize the constant geographic references Ambrose makes about the path of the railroad.

Amazing Achievement

Written by Daniel Wainwright from Fresno, CA on March 8th, 2005

  • Book Rating: 4/5

Fascinating story of those who worked on the Trans-Continental Railroad. Provides a good account pointing out both the good and the bad of those involved in the project. Very interesting and enjoyable. Love the narrator.

Author Details

Author Details

Ambrose, Stephen E.

"Dr. Stephen Ambrose was a renowned historian, biographer, and acclaimed author of more than 30 books. Among his New York Times best-sellers were: NOTHING LIKE IT IN THE WORLD, CITIZEN SOLDIERS, BAND OF BROTHERS, D-DAY - JUNE 6, 1944, UNDAUNTED COURAGE, and WILD BLUE. TO AMERICA: Personal Reflections of an Historian is his latest book; and coming out in the winter 2002 is MERIWETHER LEWIS, THOMAS JEFFERSON, AND THE OPENING OF THE AMERICAN WEST: The Climactic Battle of World War II.

He was not only a great author, but also a captivating speaker, with the unique ability to provide insight into the future by employing his profound knowledge of the past. His stories demonstrated how leaders use trust, friendship and shared experiences to work together and thrive during conflict and change. His philosophy about audience engagement was best put in his own words:

As I sit at my computer, or stand at the podium, I think of myself as sitting around the campfire after a day on the trail, telling stories that I hope will have the members of the audience, or the readers, leaning forward just a bit, wanting to know what happens next.


Dr. Ambrose was a retired Boyd Professor of History at the University of New Orleans. He was the Director Emeritus of the Eisenhower Center in New Orleans, and the founder of the National D-day Museum. He was also a contributing editor for the Quarterly Journal of Military History, a member of the board of directors for American Rivers, and a member of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council Board.

His talents did not go unnoticed by the film industry. Dr. Ambrose was the historical consultant for Steven Spielberg's movie Saving Private Ryan. Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks also purchased the film rights to his books CITIZEN SOLDIERS and BAND OF BROTHERS, which resulted in a 13-hour HBO mini-series in 2001.

Ambrose also participated in numerous national television programs, including ones for the History Channel and National Geographic."