The history of Bay Area Rapid Transit; as told by ''Mr. BART'' himself When BART opened in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1972; it became a catalyst for a renaissance in modern rail transit; both nationally and internationally. The concept as sold to Bay Area voters was gargantuan: by adopting aerospace technologies such as microchips for ground transportation; the new computer-operated rail system would bridge counties and curb urban sprawl amid a booming automobile culture. But it all came within a gnat's eyelash of not happening. The question raised by pundits and taxpayers alike was: would this space-age plan actually work; or be the biggest boondoggle in the country's history? In the first-ever history book about BART; longtime agency spokesman Michael C. Healy gives an insider's account of the rapid transit system's inception; hard-won approval; construction; and operations; ''warts and all.'' Written with a master storyteller's homey wit and sharp attention to detail; Healy recreates the politically fraught venture to bring a new kind of public transit to the West Coast. What emerges is a sense of the individuals who made (and make) BART happen. From tales of staying up until 3:00 a.m. with Bill Stokes and Jack Everson to hear the election results for the rapid transit vote or weathering scandals; strikes; and growing pains; this look behind the scenes of an iconic; seemingly monolithic structure reveals people at their most human-and determined to change the status quo.
#1042875 in Books 2007-10-30Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 10.80 x .51 x 8.36l; 1.75 #File Name: 1595581588258 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Journalism at its best!By Herbert BookerThis book shows actual photographs taken at the time without the newspaper half-tone pictures that made them look fuzzy; these are quite clear to view easily. They retyped the news articles; you can see a lot of effort and time went into published these accounts now found in aging newspapers crumbling into tiny pieces; but here you do not have to read fine print typeface. Everything is in chronological order/ This is a nice large soft cover book that you'll have to refer where you bought it in case someone wants to "borrow it" later. The price is very reasonable; get it today!2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Amazing RetrospectiveBy JazzmanHeard about this book some years ago and had been meaning to check it out. Haven't read the entire book yet but the photos are amazing and the accompanying text really captures the historical essences of life in America's most well-known Black community. This book it a must have for past; present and future residence of this community as time and gentrification slowly erase the memory of the people and events that shaped Harlem and made it truly unique.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Love the history of photos and information contained within the book.By Cynon A.I have in the past wondered about and would I ever see photos I knew were taken in year 1968 (Merv Griffin Telecast- "Give A Damn") when many celebrities put on a concert/show in my community when I was a little girl and where I was raised which is in the book; I actually see photos of people I grew up with. Love it! I would recommend this book!
