Customer Reviews (2)

As an intreted in History and as serious railfan, great book
Is very interesting when some one out of your country writes about things that you really finds unimportatn for much of the people. I love my country, and as aserious railfan, I love the history that ivolves the railroad and Mexico. Mr. Signor and Mr. Kirchner takes the time to write about one of the most importatn railroads of Mexico, the "Ferrocarril del Pacifico". They make history, because from that old subsidiary of the Southern Pacific, emerges the Sinaloa, Sonora and Baja California divisons of the Ferrocarril Mexicano. Gives you the enough information to understand the importance of this line not only for U.S. as well as Mexico. Provides also technical and historic iformation, very dificult to find by ther way.

Concise and generally accurate history of this important RR.
I recently completed my doctoral dissertation on this important railroad. Kirchner and Signor's book is the only published book-length treatment of the line, and although their focus is as much pointed at railfans and switch-counters as it is at historians, it is an interesting and accurate read. The line operated for nearly 50 years in Mexico, involved some of the most monumental construction work in railroad history, and has generally been ignored by railroad historians, even though it was owned by the Southern Pacific, the world's largest transportation company for much of the time it was in SP hands. ... Read more

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Brief biographies of five early American painters including Benjamin West, John Singleton Copley, Charles Willson Peale, Gilbert Stuart, and John Trumbull. ... Read more

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This historical biography- based on the life of British Columbia pioneer John Muir- tells the amazing story of a family from Scotland who came out to Canada in the late 1840s to work as "consignee" labourers for the Hudson's Bay Company. Ashby recreates the story of the Muirs' struggle to develop a place for themselves in the hierarchic colony ruled by James Douglas. With their vision of a country based on democratic principles, the Muirs fought to bring a new way of life to the West Coast. Drawing on the Muir family diaries, Ashby recounts the family's voyage from Scotland, their first years of toil in the coal mines near Fort Rupert on northern Vancouver Island, and their challenge to the Company when they initiated what may have been the first strike in Canada. Muir went on to acquire property and became an important figure in the economic development of the province. He built the first successful steam-operated sawmill in B.C. and developed the largest privately owned fleet of ships in the Northwest. He became a magistrate with his own sense of justice for the working man, and later a Member of the First Legislative Assembly. So facinating is Muir's personality and so intriguing is his struggle for a democratic way of life that his life's story reads at times like a novel. Ashby is to be commended for vividly bringing back to life this historic figure, a man who deserves to be better known in his own right and for his contribution to the development of the West. ... Read more

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This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

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Also Contains Poems By John Codrington Bampfylde. Illustrated By Birket Fosters. ... Read more

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The book has no illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from the publisher's website (GeneralBooksClub.com). You can also preview excerpts of the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Volume: 1; Original Publisher: William Blackwood and Sons; Publication date: 1881; Subjects: Australia; History / General; History / Australia ... Read more

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John West (1778-1845) was an Episcopalian minister, and chaplain for the Hudson's Bay Company at Fort Garry (Winnipeg) on Red River. Born in Farnham, Surrey, he was ordained a priest of the Church of England by the Bishop of London in 1804. After spending fifteen years in various curacies in England he was appointed chaplain to the Hudson's Bay Company in 1819 and left for Red River in 1820. He missioned amongst the Native Indians and began a day school. He went home in 1823, supposedly temporarily, but he never returned. He published his journal in 1824. In 1825-26 he visited eastern Canada on behalf of the New England Company. ... Read more

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A Worm's Eye View of the Ante-Bellum Army in the Southwest
Actually, this book is not written by Durwood Ball; he wrote the Foreword. The "et al" refers to pencil sketches by a Private Joseph Heger, and an Introduction by editor George P. Hammond, then of the Bancroft Library of the Univesity of California.

I say "Worm's eye view" because when the content of this book was written, Du Bois was a 2nd Lt. in the Mounted Rifles, later to become the Third U. S. Cavalry regiment. The author's experiences were a long series of "alarms and excursions" chasing and usually not catching Indians, interspersed by marching from New Mexico to Utah to participate in the so-called Mormon War; a non-war which
was very trying to most of the U.S. soldiers involved.

Three things are notable. First, Du Bois'disgust with some of his commander's actions, particularly Colonel Benjamin Bonneville. Du Bois thought that Bonneville at age 63 was an old fool -blustery but fearful, uncertain, and not fit to command. He was right, too.

Second was the smallnesss of the army and the closeness of the officers, most of whom were West Point graduates. Du Bois thought it important to note which of his friends or at least fellow alumni he met on his or their travels between various posts, and to note their deaths when such happened.

Finally, one cannot but be impressed with the hardships of the campaigns in which the author was involved. Active duty in the field was often dangerous, often in foul weather over difficult terrain, and often without enough water for the men and their horses. Returning from Utah and reaching Guadalupita, New Mexico, Du Bois wrote that this was the first night he had spent in a house in six months. He, as did others, made do. Even when annoyed, his humor is evident and his actual enjoyment of life in the saddle is notable.

After that six months and a journey of over 1,700 mile on horseback and foot, Du Bois wrote "I have enjoyed my summer very much. I have seen the saints and passed over a section of country worthy of examination."

This book gives the reader a glimpse into a part of army life and a thin slice of history that is not that often available. It is a good read. ... Read more