FIRST ACROSS THE CONTINENT

by Noah Brooks

"First Across the Continent," by Noah Brooks, is an enthralling historical narrative of the extraordinary trip of the United States' first transcontinental railroad. Brooks takes readers on an enthralling journey through the challenges, achievements, and personal tales that shaped this massive project. The book digs into the bold idea of uniting the United States' East and West coastlines via a single continuous railroad line. Brooks eloquently depicts the visionaries, engineers, laborers, and financiers who helped to make this huge endeavor a reality. He highlights the enormous physical challenges faced, such as dangerous terrain, adverse weather conditions, and the vast distance that had to be overcome. Brooks mixes personal histories of those involved among the technical intricacies of construction, providing insight into the lives of the people who worked relentlessly to make the dream of a transcontinental train a reality.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

246 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1901

About the author

On the editorial staff of the New York Times and New York Tribune.

Reviews

[Graham Bear · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful narrative

I am pleased to have read this book . Such intrepid explorers are an inspiration to us all. I respect them so much. Well done Lewis and Clark.

[Chris Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I diligently finished this book (even though it was a little long) because the details provided were incredible. Written in 1901, it was based on the very extensive journal entries from the trip. What was most fascinating to me was the experiences with the Indians they encountered from many tribes not previously seen by a white man. The journal documented many varying details of physical appearance, dress, culture, food sources, acceptance or rejection of strangers, peaceful or warlike attitudes among the many tribes they spent time getting to know. They brought along many “trinkets” given to the Indians both to foster good will and to trade for horses, canoes, and food.

An impressive journey into unknown territory and an impressive recounting of the entire trip - up the Missouri River and then the Columbia River to the Pacific. The hardships were well documented but not over dramatized. The adventurous spirit and commitment to President Jefferson’s mission were clear in the telling of this story.

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant.

Great story well told. Kept me gripped form start. Have been to several of locations mentioned and descriptions are wonderful allowing for the passage of the years

[John Davied · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical

Good historical read. Very detailed account of the exploration and mapping of the newest regions of North America and encounters with the native Americans of the land.

[Gabrielle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Had to read for school

[Jody · Rating 2 out of 5]

I often enjoy reading non-fiction books, such as biographies. Not this time, unfortunately. While parts of Lewis and Clark's travels across the newly purchased sections of the continent were interesting, it was pretty repetitive. Lots of trading presents with Native chiefs and descriptions of the plants, animals and Natives they encountered. And while that was necessary, since that was one of the objectives of their journey, I found myself brushing over most of it after the first several descriptions. What a woman! This book would have been so much more interesting if I lived in the part of our country they explored. Still, it was good to have read about the history. And I did enjoy reading about Sacajawea and her child. What a woman!

[Marc · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was like reading a text book in high school. I was expecting a book of great adventures and lot's of warfare along the way, but what I read was just the opposite. I'm glad I read it, for the fact i'm eager to learn where we, as America, came from. I looked at this book as a history lesson and that's exactly what it was. If you are looking for an interesting read, this is not your book!

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little dry and repetitive in places but it catalogues the events of the amazing expedition. Soome periods of food shortage and a lot of dog eating on the way. Also gives a great insight into the lives of the many unknown native American tribes that have become extinct in the intervening years since 1804.

[Frank Minich · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dated. Too few maps and pictures, with none in color. The edition I have is the Dover one, which reduced the fold-out map of the original to a "double-page spread" which is almost impossible to read.
This book was probably state-of-the-art when published in 1901, but we've come a long way with our expectations as to how history should be presented to us.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is one of my favorite topics: the Lewis and Clark Journey, but I was disappointed; it was almost all from their journals, not nearly as exciting as the book if just reread, the biography of the interpreter on the journey, Dreweir.

[Jayme Pendergraft · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reads like a long book report, with lots of quotes from Lewis and Clark's journals. Interesting for some of it, but started to drag on.

[Terry Dwayne Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and informative

enjoyed reading this book very much, would recommend it to anyone interested in early american history,and the mountain man's life

[Michelle Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read about the Lewis and Clark journey!