Book Detail
Full Steam Ahead: The Race to Build a Transcontinental Railroad |
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Publication Information |
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| Author: Blumberg, Rhoda | Illustrator: |
| Title: Full Steam Ahead: The Race to Build a Transcontinental Railroad | Date: 1996 |
| Publisher: National Geographic Society | City: Washington, DC |
| ISBN, paperback: 0-7922-2715-8 | ISBN, hardback: |
Recommended audience: |
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| ABE/ABLE: Yes | ESOL: |
| Family: | Young Adult: Yes |
| Picture: | |
General Information: |
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| Book Type(s): nonfiction, biography and autobiography | |
HSE Descriptor(s): social studies |
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Summary: |
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| The Pacific Railroad Act of 1862 granted a company in California the right to lay railroad tracks east and another to lay tracks west beginning at the Mississippi River. Payment for the work, in land and money, was based on the number of miles covered. The race to complete the railroad is described in this book, along with its many social and economic corollaries. The volume is illustrated with photographs and other authentic detail. | |
Teaching Ideas: |
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| Teachers may want to excerpt this book, but history or railroad buffs will probably want to read the entire book. It's probably best used with higher-level learners in text sets about railroads, the 19th century in the U.S., westward expansion, or civil rights issues (e.g., treatment of Native Americans and Chinese immigrants). Learners may want to create biographical sketches of some of the businessmen described: Leland Stanford, Mark Hopkins, Charles Crocker, etc. "Then and now" discussion and writing could center on stereotypes, dealing with cultural differences, prejudice, or the issue of whether (and why) rich folks can exploit others and the "system." www.trains.com | |
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