The Great Railroad Race

Illustrating the egos, wealth, ambition, and low-down dirty dealings of two Gilded Age “robber barons” who sought to be the first to provide railroad access to the mining towns of Nevada, The Great Railroad Race chronicles the battle between Francis Marion Smith, called the Borax King because of the source of his fortune, and William Andrews Clark, likewise termed the Copper King, both of whom initially cooperated in the railroad venture…until Clark reneged on his part of their “gentleman's agreement.” More than just the story of these two industrial titans, the tape includes grueling details on the exhausting physical labor required of the men who actually laid the track in Death Valley (Japanese laborers were hired to drink water and spit on the workers' backs to keep them hydrated!). Combining great archival materials and well-done re-enactments, this excellent example of a well-told tale of local history being related to national history will interest students, railfans, and history buffs. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: H, C, P. (R. Reagan)