Fast Trains: America's High Speed Future

by Emy Louie, Bruce Johnson (Designer), Nancy Nagle Bolts (Contributor)

Across the globe, people are traveling by high speed trains at speeds of 200 miles per hour and higher. They are escaping the woes of long automobile commutes, gridlocked traffic, and the indignities of post-9/11 air travel. They are experiencing the convenience, comfort, amenities, and service not available to automobile and air travelers. This unique book seeks to galvanize public interest in high speed rail by bringing to life the vast economic and lifestyle benefits of having a world-class high speed rail system throughout America. In addition, the creation of literally hundreds of thousands of jobs across numerous industries can become an immediate reality when high speed rail begins construction on American soil. In an easy-to-read, entertaining yet fact-filled and highly informative way, this critically acclaimed book introduces narratives that dynamically compare the experience of people traveling by available means in the United States with the experience of people taking fast trains in countries with established high speed rail systems. Fast Trains – America’s High Speed Future passionately and convincingly argues that the time for fast trains in America is now! Our nation needs high speed rail. It needs it urgently, and there is no time to delay.

183 pages, Paperback

First published September 10, 2012

Reviews

[Patrick Stafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast Trains is full of truth and enlightenment. Chapters in the book alternate between describing the history of trains and electric trains to presenting beautiful, interesting narratives about individuals and families who travel high speed rail (HSR) trains in Asia and Europe. Fast HSR trains ferry millions of people to work and play on a daily basis all over the world. They do it at amazing speeds sometimes in excess of 200 miles per hour, covering tens of thousands of miles in a single day on HSR rail systems in places such as England, France, Spain and China. The truth is, HSR is fast becoming the fastest and best mode of land transportation on the planet and may soon replace the dependence on automobiles and oil and gasoline that over a hundred nations and billions of people have sadly grown so used to.

The greater truth is, the United States of America is woefully without high speed rail and is suffering immensely because of it. This amazing book explains the numerous benefits of having high speed rail in America, how it can end our dependence on fossil fules and automobiles, create millions of jobs, tremendously reduce pollution, cause America's lagging infrastructure to be rebuilt, and provide a mode of transportation that will revolutionize business and commerce throughout North America. HSR's many other benefits are cogently covered in the book, and done so in a very enligthening but fun-to-read manner. America needs high speed rail and fast trains. This book presents a powerful thesis why we need HSR now. I can't imagine there being any other book better written on the subject of trains and high speed rail, nor one that is more exciting and enjoyable to read and so thoroughly tells you what you need to know. This is the book every American needs to read. And read now!