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'Full of wondrous curiosities - This authoritative and highly readable book will remain the definitive history for years to come.' Michael Williams, Daily Telegraph
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The birth of the railways and their rapid spread across the world triggered economic growth and social change on an unprecedented scale. From Panama to the Punjab, Tasmania to Turin, Blood, Iron and Gold describes the vision and determination of the pioneers who developed railways that would link cities that had hitherto been isolated, and would one day span continents. Christian Wolmar reveals how the rise of the train stimulating daring feats of engineering, architectural innovation and the rapid movement of people and goods around the world. He shows how cultures were enriched - and destroyed - by the unrelenting construction and how the railways played a vital role in civil conflict, as well as in two world wars.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
49 of 50 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
As one might expect from Christian Wolmar this is a very good book packed with fascinating detail. Wolmar charts the growth of railways in all parts of the world. The pioneering position of Britain and the dominant role that we played in terms of providing engineering expertise and, perhaps more surprisingly, private finance is well related. (Of course, this dominant position was subsequently lost to America and then France and Japan.) Chapters are dedicated to different aspects of railway growth; the building of European lines and the mighty projects of crossing America, Canada and the other continents. Further sections deal with the different motivations for railway investment; private and government sponsored, the effect of railway expansion upon society and trade, the use of railways in wartime, and finally, the decline of railways and subsequent recent resurgence with investment in high-speed lines. Wolmar is at his best when drawing together the general reasons for railway investment and the general effects upon people and their way of life. Some of the early chapters on the growth of the railway system can be rather overwhelming with a dazzling array of data, but perhaps this is the nature of the beast and a minor quibble. As with Wolmar's earlier, 'Fire and Steam' this is a good history book and is not an 'anorak' book or coffee-table picture book. This excellent read will undoubtedly be of interest to general readers and railway enthusiasts alike.
33 of 36 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Christian Wolmar must be one of the most knowledgeable authors on railways writing today, and with this volume he has excelled himself. Anyone who enjoyed "Fire & Steam" - Wolmar's lively history of the railways in Britain - will be delighted that he has finally gone global, looking at how railways affected (and continue to impact) just about every country where they were built in the world.
The book is extremely readable and amazingly comprehensive - in spite of the author's apology that it isn't. Of course there are omissions (my own favourite line to Sóller in Mallorca isn't mentioned, for example). But it's a must for every railway buff and should also enthuse anyone interested in the industrial and social history of the last 150 years.
With signs of a potential renaissance for this mode of transport, Christian Wolmar should have plenty to write about in the future.
The book is extremely readable and amazingly comprehensive - in spite of the author's apology that it isn't. Of course there are omissions (my own favourite line to Sóller in Mallorca isn't mentioned, for example). But it's a must for every railway buff and should also enthuse anyone interested in the industrial and social history of the last 150 years.
With signs of a potential renaissance for this mode of transport, Christian Wolmar should have plenty to write about in the future.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Wolmar writes entertainingly and enthusiastically - the content of the book is summed up in its title. It certainly isn't only for railway buffs. It intertwines the story of the railways of the world with the development of nations, societies and economies and with tales of those involved in creating and running the railways, from wealthy and sometimes corrupt businessmen the navvies whose lives were held so cheap.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Railway History
After producing excellent railway history books of Britain's railway, Christian Wolmer has extended its field to the world. Read more
Published 8 months ago by superblues
Nice history
Christian Wolmar's book is as much a social and political history of the railways as it is the story - and a very readable one - of how they were built. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Alan Lenton
kindle version has no maps!
It is a great pity that the maps were not included in the Kindle Version. A bad omission.
Published 19 months ago by C. J. West
Solid overview that avoids the technical detail
Christian Wolmar tackles his chosen subject without delving into the "rivet-counting" detail that often characterises the genre. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Reet Gradeley
Killed off very quickly
Like most of his books, concentrates on early history then covers more recent times at a gallopBlood, Iron and Gold: How the Railways Transformed the World
Published 20 months ago by Taffyarthur
Not an ANORAKt
A most comprehensive treatment of a very complex subject, spoilt only (for me) by an inaccurate reference, and a surprising bias by one of White Russian origin against Tsarist... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Keith A. Chittenden
A good digest but...
Personally I found the Cairo-Cape chapter much the most exciting because it's one of the few with an associated map. Read more
Published 23 months ago by M. Pennington
A great read
Blood, Iron and Gold is quite simply a great read. It gives a really incisive insight into railways, their development and their social imput. Read more
Published on 10 Feb 2010 by DaveBradley
An Enthralling Read
Blood Iron and Gold really sums up this book. Christian gives a vivid account of the how many lives were lost building the railways we know today and how the ironway spread across... Read more
Published on 18 Jan 2010 by Mr. John S. Fowler
Not good
I liked Fire and Steam and loved The Subterranean Railway but this is a poor book. It's full of sweeping generalisations and statements with no real evidence to back them up. Read more
Published on 29 Dec 2009 by Book lover
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