Train: Riding the Rails That Created the Modern World--from the Trans-Siberian to the Southwest Chief

This is an outstanding book. It has it all. Travel, geography, history, insights, and of course, a lot about trains. Good news, bad news. The good news- the book is a very fun and informative read. Bad news - it creates, at least for me, an overwhelming need to take a long distance train to somewhere. If you have ever wondered what riding the Trans Siberian Express or riding trains through India is like, you can find out here. All Aboard.

The author takes us along on his rides of half a dozen world-famous long distance train trips, in each case providing the historical context of the railroad's role in that country, the cultural/economic/political significance of that railroad or of that particular route, and so on. The result is part travelogue and part history, neither part comprehensive, but certainly entertaining, especially for fans of rail travel. Supporting Theroux's assertion that railroads are microcosms of their countries, part of the interest is that the journeys could not be more different because of their history and cultural embedding: the trans-Siberian railway, the new Chinese high-speed line to Tibet, the Indian Railways, the journey crossing the US from Chicago to LA, etc. Zoellner pays particular attention to the economic and cultural significance of these runs. Without railroads, the extractive industries that drove colonialization and expansion in the USA, South America, and India would not have been possible, nor would the efficient movement of millions of prisoners to concentration camps in Nazi Germany; and the author concludes the Chinese have similar aspirations to "colonize" Tibet and thereby permanently end any discussions of its independence. At the same time, the very trains that were the ultimate symbol of British colonialism in India now represent unprecedented mobility for its masses, and the trains that served as symbols of white oppression in the antebellum American South soon became the vehicles that transported free blacks to Chicago in search of a new middle-class life. The author is at his best when he doesn't try to affect Paul Theroux - it's not clear he's found his own voice, since the historical parts of the narrative are written in a quite different voice than the travelogue parts. He should stick to his natural voice; he's a good writer. Overall enjoyable, but if you're looking specifically for travel writing (as opposed to a historico-travel collage), Paul Theroux focuses more on the "human interactions" side of travel (and this author admits as much).

I can't remember when I've enjoyed a book more. Zoellner packs plenty of history into TRAIN, and he does a graceful job of delivering it. His account of the train's origins in Britain is particularly thorough and lively, and the chapter on railroads in India is superb. His descriptions of the technical challenges of various rail systems fascinated me, and I am certainly no "foamer" (railroad lingo for avid rail fans). That said, I have to admit that my favorite parts of the book were Zoellner's stories about the characters he encountered as he rode trains all over the world. He has a gift for bringing people to life through small, telling details, and he seems to have a deep and genuine interest in the folks who cross his path. Not that every encounter is happy -- on the contrary, some are distinctly unfriendly (and one with a certain hairy Russian is potentially life-threatening). But Zoellner writes about his travels like a man recalling a pleasing adventure, and I came away from the book longing to take a train journey myself.

It is no wonder it got such amazing reviews from top critics. A truly insightful and enjoyable read all-around, appealing to those of us aren't particularly obsessed with trains as well as those who have always been fascinated by them. Interesting to learn a bit about their history, but you learn so much more than that from this book - Zoellner has a way of cleverly weaving in information about a variety of historical events and figures, as well as politics, literature, and science. He also gives you an entertaining glimpse into the lives of the people he meets on board trains across the globe and into his own adventures along the way. And of course, he eloquently describes what he sees on his journeys - including vivid descriptions of the landscapes passing by while he stares out the window, the grandeur of the different train stations, and more. A must read!

As a longtime travel journalist (over 45 years) I've ridden most of the world's top trains in numerous countries. I'm a confirmed train/railroad aficionado. This book has received worldwide acclaim. Deservedly so. But for me it did not grab my attention. I've been a proud American citizen for 45 years, and was born in London. I grew up captivated by the magic of steam engines, the intricate maze of wheels, pistons, rods and such that were an integral part of these huge Iron Monsters. I wished more - much more - of this book had focused on that. For me there was too much information and "Sidebar" stories on the the people who rode trains. I became bored with anecdotes about their lives' - and it turned me off. Mr. Zoellner is obviously a train buff like me, but he approaches all this fascination from a different perspective. I plan on sending my copy BACK to Amazon. If you (that is, anyone reading this) are tantalized by trains like me, please lewt me hear YOUR thoughts at [email protected] -- John Clayton

There's no deep truths in this narrative, but the author's often Herculean efforts to ride several of the great trains in the world provides the rest of us with an easy way to enjoy the experience. The story isn't just for train buffs, but for anyone who ever wondered what it's like to cross Siberia or India, or even the USA on today's trains. The experience is often unpleasant, it turns out, but the description is often entertaining.

Loved reading it.

...brilliantly told. An engaging story, not just of railroading but of the fascinating ways in which a machine shaped an age. Zoellner is a terrific writer and this book is a great read -- perfect, in fact, for a long airplane ride.

Excellent

An interesting read, especially if you are into trains

Excellent mixture of narrative and historical information. Very interesting connections between historical events.