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The Train Part 1: Escape From Hell's Kitchen
The most dangerous place in America in the 19th Century was not in the Wild West; it was in an urban slum called Hell’s Kitchen, on an island called Manhattan, in a city called New York. Over the years it was visited by a diverse hodge-podge of notables, including Davey Crockett and Charles Dickens, all who left aghast at the horrible living conditions, the poverty and the decadence of the people they found there.
At their zenith, these vulgar, diseased and murderous streets housed 30,000 homeless children of all ages--the street urchins--who played, scavenged for food, fought the elements and each other, and tried to avoid the perpetual violence that routinely threatened their survival. Death was their constant competitor, and death often won. They were the discarded refuse of the great 19th century immigrant migrations to America, and they were an undesirable nuisance to the good citizens of New York.
This is the story of two such children, Anna Murphy and Ben McDonald, abandoned to the streets and thrown together in a desperate attempt to achieve the impossible: to escape from Hell’s Kitchen in search of new beginnings in far and distant lands.
At their zenith, these vulgar, diseased and murderous streets housed 30,000 homeless children of all ages--the street urchins--who played, scavenged for food, fought the elements and each other, and tried to avoid the perpetual violence that routinely threatened their survival. Death was their constant competitor, and death often won. They were the discarded refuse of the great 19th century immigrant migrations to America, and they were an undesirable nuisance to the good citizens of New York.
This is the story of two such children, Anna Murphy and Ben McDonald, abandoned to the streets and thrown together in a desperate attempt to achieve the impossible: to escape from Hell’s Kitchen in search of new beginnings in far and distant lands.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2013
209 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 16, 2016
Exceptional historical novel
I enjoy reading a good story with accurate history. This book doesn't disappoint. What life was like in Hells Kitchen for the lost orphans.
A love story thrown in and a happy ending. What's not to like.
I enjoy reading a good story with accurate history. This book doesn't disappoint. What life was like in Hells Kitchen for the lost orphans.
A love story thrown in and a happy ending. What's not to like.
February 25, 2022
This was a gripping story beginning with the mean streets and alleys of Hell's Kitchen. The description of the lived experiences of the "urchins" nearly overwhelming. There were gangs, death, and despair on every page. The love story between Ben and Anna begins with him rescuing her from an alley and protecting her with his very life. Christian was a leader of a youth gang and walked away long enough to rescue Ben and Anna by taking them to Bill who helped rescue the urchins. He was part of the team of individuals who rescued children and placed them on a train to the mid west. The separation of Ben and Anna was very painful, however, at the age of 13 she cared about Zack who was a rejected and unwanted child. A farming family in Missouri too in both Zack and Anna.
Ben and Christian became friends and set out to find his parents in Indiana. Throughout the drama of the story is the history of Orphans Trains and the care of orphans and unwanted children. In the end of this book Ben finds his mother and reunites with Anna. There was drama, suspense, love and history combined in this important book. The author writes the story as if he were writing from a distance and able to see the outcome of the lives of individuals. A very important book and one that I would recommend to anyone.
Ben and Christian became friends and set out to find his parents in Indiana. Throughout the drama of the story is the history of Orphans Trains and the care of orphans and unwanted children. In the end of this book Ben finds his mother and reunites with Anna. There was drama, suspense, love and history combined in this important book. The author writes the story as if he were writing from a distance and able to see the outcome of the lives of individuals. A very important book and one that I would recommend to anyone.
July 15, 2019
Thrilling mix of suspense and blossoming, enduring love.
I enjoyed this book very much! It's my first by this author and won't be the last. The story tells of two children, whose dysfunctional family situations land them on the cold, mean streets of New York. Against a backdrop of shameful social neglect, when abandoned and orphaned children were left to fend for themselves, these youngsters meet under the most tragic of circumstances and eventually forge a lasting friendship. Their experience is thrilling told, punctuated with rising tension, ongoing excitement, and interesting historical details. I couldn't put the book down, it was so engaging! Absolutely loved it!
I enjoyed this book very much! It's my first by this author and won't be the last. The story tells of two children, whose dysfunctional family situations land them on the cold, mean streets of New York. Against a backdrop of shameful social neglect, when abandoned and orphaned children were left to fend for themselves, these youngsters meet under the most tragic of circumstances and eventually forge a lasting friendship. Their experience is thrilling told, punctuated with rising tension, ongoing excitement, and interesting historical details. I couldn't put the book down, it was so engaging! Absolutely loved it!
February 1, 2019
Excellent story with plenty of plot twists
Excellent story! Well-written overall and hard to put down once I got involved. One observation- at times the story would turn and feel less like a story and more like an essay. I especially noticed this in the early chapters, which almost caused me to stop reading... so glad I stuck it out and now I’m off to read the sequel!
Excellent story! Well-written overall and hard to put down once I got involved. One observation- at times the story would turn and feel less like a story and more like an essay. I especially noticed this in the early chapters, which almost caused me to stop reading... so glad I stuck it out and now I’m off to read the sequel!
February 16, 2023
A very intriguing and heartwarming story
The author has written a great story of hardships, heartbreak and love that is sure to keep you entertained and fully engaged in the story. Full of exciting action!
The author has written a great story of hardships, heartbreak and love that is sure to keep you entertained and fully engaged in the story. Full of exciting action!
December 15, 2020
Hells kitchen.
Never knowing how your life will turn out makes for a tiff job. Ben and Emma have a lifetime t catch up on. Just a great stoty. Hope they stay together.
Never knowing how your life will turn out makes for a tiff job. Ben and Emma have a lifetime t catch up on. Just a great stoty. Hope they stay together.
Read
February 23, 2022Interesting and good read
Interesting facts a about the orphan trains. I recommend it to teenagers and young adults. I am excited to read the next book in the series.
Interesting facts a about the orphan trains. I recommend it to teenagers and young adults. I am excited to read the next book in the series.
Read
November 7, 2024Very good story interesting about Hell s Kitchen would recommend
January 24, 2014
This author lives in Jefferson City. He evidently has done a lot of research. The story is fiction but based on facts. I like the way the story is intermingled with fact. Very well written. The orphan trains from New York City definitely came thru this area and young children were given a chance for a loving home.
January 30, 2015
A well written historical book about a part of American history that is glossed over. A story showing the triumph of the human spirit and the resourcefulness of two people meant to be. A must read along with its sequel!
August 26, 2015
Captivating
Once I started this book I knew it would be worth the read. Hopefully there is alot of truths and in places alot of fiction. Well written an look forward to reading Part 2.
Once I started this book I knew it would be worth the read. Hopefully there is alot of truths and in places alot of fiction. Well written an look forward to reading Part 2.
November 17, 2016
Good
Really good book. If you like to read about peoples' in the late 1800's you will enjoy this book. Two different kids left homeless in the slums of New York find each other and try to escape.
Really good book. If you like to read about peoples' in the late 1800's you will enjoy this book. Two different kids left homeless in the slums of New York find each other and try to escape.
Want to read
February 4, 2014I may buy the audiobook. This is the orphan train, shipping hundreds of kids from New York City to Wyoming, etc.
June 10, 2016
Very good
Very well written.the plot is excellent and very hard to put down.I don't often find a book that I become so engrossed in.thank you Mr.Schafer.
Very well written.the plot is excellent and very hard to put down.I don't often find a book that I become so engrossed in.thank you Mr.Schafer.
December 10, 2016
Excellent story.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews