The philosophy of railways : the transcontinental railway idea in British North America / A.A. den Otter.

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Examines the ideological motivations for building the Canadian railway, the contemporary understandings of nationalism, and the evolving notion of a transcontinental union.

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CHOICE Review

Although scores of scholarly works describe how railroads have developed Canada, this thoughtful study explains how Canadians historically have viewed this vital technology. Den Otter (Memorial Univ. of Newfoundland) dismisses the often argued, albeit simplistic, notion that the completion in 1885 of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR), which wedded the Dominion from sea to sea, occurred principally to create a nation-state. The construction of the CPR and several other transcontinental roads by the time of WW I came about for other reasons, including the desire to strengthen the economic position of specific localities and to promote progress in general. The results of extensive railroad building actually contributed to Canada becoming part of an American economy and culture. Although Canadians wished to conquer and civilize their formidable wilderness, building their railroad system increased regional disparities within the country and led to hard feeling among residents of more isolated sections toward those places that benefited the most from the iron horse. The research is imaginative and impressive, and the book is pleasantly produced, with helpful maps, illustrations, and index. Upper-division undergraduates and above. H. R. Grant; Clemson University