To the Edge of the World
The Story of the Trans-Siberian Railway
Published on 7. November 2013
304 pages
978-1-78239-204-0 (ISBN)
Description
Christian Wolmar expertly tells the story of the Trans-Siberian railway from its conception and construction under Tsar Alexander III, to the northern extension ordered by Brezhnev and its current success as a vital artery. He also explores the crucial role the line played in both the Russian Civil War -Trotsky famously used an armoured carriage as his command post - and the Second World War, during which the railway saved the country from certain defeat. Like the author's previous railway histories, it focuses on the personalities, as well as the political and economic events, that lay behind one of the most extraordinary engineering triumphs of the nineteenth century.
Reviews / Votes
Christian Wolmar is Britain's foremost railway historian, with almost a dozen books on railways in Britain and abroad. This is one of his best. Witty, fluent and opinionated, he shows a superb grasp of Russia - its people, history and mindset... Wolmar leaves us in awe of an achievement that has made the Trans-Siberian not only the longest but the greatest railway line ever built. * The Times * Fascinating... An excellent examination of one the most extraordinary engineering feats of the 19th century. * Daily Express * With characteristic clarity, Wolmar argues that no railway has been so geopolitically important. This may be "a heavy burden for a humble iron road" to carry, but his history makes a convincing case. -- Andrew Martin * Mail on Sunday * Does justice to the tale of the world's longest railway... Free of niche anorak jargon, Wolmar's writing is like any self-respecting railway should be: direct, pacey and open to all. * Lonely Planet Traveller *More details
Edition
Main
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Illustrations
2x8pp b/w and colour plates. Maps in text.
File size
6,56 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-78239-204-0 (9781782392040)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
11/2014
Atlantic Books
€41.03
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Book
11/2013
Atlantic Books
€47.24
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Person
Christian Wolmar is Britain's foremost writer and broadcaster on transport matters. He writes regularly for a wide variety of publications including the Independent, Evening Standard and Rail magazine, and appears frequently on TV and radio as a commentator. His previous books include the widely acclaimed The Subterranean Railway, Fire and Steam, Blood, Iron and Gold, Engines of War and The Great Railway Revolution.
Content
- Intro
- Title page
- Copyright page
- Contents
- List of Maps and Illustrations
- Maps
- Introduction
- 1. A Slow Embrace
- 2. Holding on to Siberia
- 3. Witte's Breakthrough
- 4. Into the Steppe
- 5. Travels and Travails
- 6. Casus Belli
- 7. The New Siberia
- 8. Russia all the Way
- 9. The Battle for the Trans-Siberian
- 10. The Big Red Railway
- 11. The Other Trans-Siberian
- 12. The Greatest Railway
- Bibliography
- Notes
- Index
