The Great American Railroad War

How Ambrose Bierce and Frank Norris Took On the Notorious Central Pacific Railroad

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Transportation, Railroads, History, Americas, United States, 19th Century
Cover of the book The Great American Railroad War by Dennis Drabelle, St. Martin's Press
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Author: Dennis Drabelle ISBN: 9781250015051
Publisher: St. Martin's Press Publication: August 21, 2012
Imprint: St. Martin's Press Language: English
Author: Dennis Drabelle
ISBN: 9781250015051
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication: August 21, 2012
Imprint: St. Martin's Press
Language: English

How two of America's greatest authors took on the Central Railroad monopoly

The notorious Central Pacific Railroad riveted the attention of two great American writers: Ambrose Bierce and Frank Norris. In The Great American Railroad War, Dennis Drabelle tells a classic story of corporate greed vs. the power of the pen. The Central Pacific Railroad accepted US Government loans; but, when the loans fell due, the last surviving founder of the railroad avoided repayment. Bierce, at the behest of his boss William Randolph Hearst, swung into action writing over sixty stinging articles that became a signal achievement in American journalism. Later, Norris focused the first volume of his trilogy, The Octopus, on the freight cars of a thinly disguised version of the Central Pacific.

The Great American Railroad War is a lively chapter of US history pitting two of America's greatest writers against one of America's most powerful corporations.

"Readers with interests in western American history or the origins of today’s political quagmires will find much to relish. " - Publishers Weekly

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

How two of America's greatest authors took on the Central Railroad monopoly

The notorious Central Pacific Railroad riveted the attention of two great American writers: Ambrose Bierce and Frank Norris. In The Great American Railroad War, Dennis Drabelle tells a classic story of corporate greed vs. the power of the pen. The Central Pacific Railroad accepted US Government loans; but, when the loans fell due, the last surviving founder of the railroad avoided repayment. Bierce, at the behest of his boss William Randolph Hearst, swung into action writing over sixty stinging articles that became a signal achievement in American journalism. Later, Norris focused the first volume of his trilogy, The Octopus, on the freight cars of a thinly disguised version of the Central Pacific.

The Great American Railroad War is a lively chapter of US history pitting two of America's greatest writers against one of America's most powerful corporations.

"Readers with interests in western American history or the origins of today’s political quagmires will find much to relish. " - Publishers Weekly

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