Review by Booklist Review
In a clear, concise, and engaging narrative, Curlee tells the history of railroad technology. That trains have a special allure among transportation devotees is evident in his account of the very first successful run of a steam-powered locomotive in 1825, where cheering crowds, cannons, and a brass band completed the spectacle. The next century, of course, would be dominated by the linked dual expansion of America and its railroads. Curlee succinctly provides revealing details from the Civil War through the Industrial Revolution and into our modern age that place the evolution of railroad technology into historical context. But the real fascination with trains may be because of the visceral reaction they engender. To that end, Curlee's geometric acrylic paintings do a terrific job of capturing the awe-inspiring physicality of various locomotives and rail-related paraphernalia. They show a draftsman's command of perspective and scale, but the pictures do not quite impart the crucial element of movement, leading to a slightly static experience. This will be best appreciated by young aficionados looking to gain a deeper understanding of railroad history.--Chipman, Ian Copyright 2009 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
As in previous works (Brooklyn Bridge; Skyscraper), Curlee illuminates a single subject-this time trains-with stunning, clean-lined illustrations and informative narration. He opens with a romantic reminiscence about the mighty engines that rumbled through his North Carolina hometown. "We listened to the rhythmic clickety-clack of their steel wheels against the rails and the plaintive echoes of their whistles dying away as the trains sped through the night." Launching into a chronological account of the evolution of the "iron horse," subsequent pages highlight major developments in (mostly American) railroad history, from the first steam engines to run on rails to the high-speed trains of Europe and Asia. Flatly styled and employing limited color palettes, several of Curlee's acrylic paintings will impress and awe readers with ground-up perspectives of trains set against broad expanses of sky or mountain ranges and sometimes put into historical context with people in the foreground. The author leaves readers to ponder whether modern trains, more efficient than their predecessors, may offer "a highway into the future" for a nation "built by the railroads." All ages. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-6-A readable overview of the growth of rail transportation. Beginning with a discussion of how railroads impacted his hometown of High Point, NC, Curlee turns to a description of the steam engine's evolution, followed by a look at how those engines were replaced by diesels. The smoothly flowing text is peppered with interesting details and explanations of how historical events shaped train technology. Some background knowledge in American history helps in understanding the material. Emphasis is on the emergence of American rail transportation, but when appropriate, mention is given to other countries. Curlee concludes by noting future train travel possibilities through "magnetic levitation" and suggests that upgraded rail transportation could be important in light of world energy problems and global warming. The lengthy pages of text are divided by occasional headings. Full-page color acrylic paintings with representation of different trains and historical time periods are the hallmark of the work and set this informational book apart from other titles on the subject. A few handsome spreads are sprinkled in among the other high-quality illustrations. Costumes worn by characters in the paintings nicely convey the changing eras. An appended diagram shows how a steam engine works; it's unfortunate that it wasn't placed closer to the pertinent passages in the text. Nonetheless, this is another solid addition to Curlee's body of work.-Lynn K. Vanca, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Richfield, OH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Curlee begins with an anecdote about how railroads shaped his North Carolina home town. The text then proceeds to give a narrative history of trains, from the development of the steam engine in England to the laying of tracks across America and around the world. Dramatic acrylic illustrations in Curlee's recognizable style effectively show changes from the Industrial Revolution through today. Bib. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A celebration more than a complete chronicle, this beautifully illustrated volume offers a personal and affectionate look at the place of the railroad in history. Beginning with the impact of trains on his home town of High Point, N.C., Curlee looks backward to the invention of the locomotive in England, describes the constant improvements made by various engineers and weighs the impact of the increasing use of trains to transport freight and people across the countryside. He notes in particular that railroads supported the expansion of the United States and the fulfillment of our "manifest destiny." His overview, couched in sophisticated language, doesn't confine itself to the past; refreshingly, the author proposes a viable future for this transformative transportation technology. Stylized paintings in mostly muted colors offer varying perspectives, from a man and child dwarfed by a huge, sleek engine to the mercifully abstract depiction of a fiery calamity. Labeled diagrams supplement the text and provide additional information. Sure to fascinate existing enthusiasts, this elegant survey will likely also create some new fans. (bibliography) (Nonfiction. 8-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
