To the Edge of the World is an adventure in travel—full of extraordinary personalities; more than a century of explosive political; economic; and cultural events; and almost inconceivable feats of engineering. Christian Wolmar passionately recounts the improbable origins of the Trans-Siberian railroad; the vital artery for Russian expansion that spans almost 6;000 miles and seven time zones from Moscow to Vladivostok. The world's longest train route took a decade to build—in the face of punishing climates; rampant disease; scarcity of funds and materials; and widespread corruption.The line sprawls over a treacherous landmass that was previously populated only by disparate tribes and convicts serving out their terms in labor camps—where men were regularly starved; tortured; or mutilated for minor offenses. Once built; it led to the establishment of new cities and transformed the region's history. Exceeding all expectations; it became; according to Wolmar; “the best thing that ever happened to Siberia.â€It was not all good news; however. The railroad was the cause of the 1904–1905 Russo-Japanese War; and played a vital—and at times bloody—role in the Russian Revolution and the subsequent Civil War. More positively; the Russians were able to resist the Nazi invasion during the Second World War as new routes enabled whole industries to be sent east. Siberia; previously a lost and distant region; became an inextricable part of Russia's cultural identity. And what began as one meandering; single-track line is now; arguably; the world's most important railroad.
#519875 in Books 2013-12-10Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 .90 x 5.30 x 8.10l; .65 #File Name: 1608462994256 pages
Review
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful. Anatomy of a RevolutionBy Alan MillsFollowing the out break of sit-ins accross the upper south; originated by and participated in largely by Black college students; the students founded the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee; in an attempt to bring some order to these spontaneous direct actions.In 1960; a group of thes students decided to bring democracy to Mississippi and other deep south states. Zinn was with them; and (being a historian; after all) wrote down what he saw. As Zinn admits; this is not a history. It is closer akin to contemporaneous journalism.What Zinn does is dramatize just how far from democracy and the rule of law Mississippi was in the early 60's (at least for Black people--but it is hard to believe that this form of autocratic government didn't spill over into the "White" government as well.The Federal Constitution did not apply. State law did not apply. A student standing on the steps of the federal building (of all places) is arrested; beaten to unconsciousness; and sent to hard labor at the notorious Parchman Farm. All for simply watching a line of black citizens attempt to register to vote. All this while the FBI stands by; and does nothing but take notes.Looking back from the perspective of 40 years on; we tend to glamorize the civil rights movement--the Supreme Court decided Brown; Rosa Parks refused to sit in the back of the bus; King gave a speech about his dream; and then Congress solved the problem by passing the Civil Rights Law.What Zinn makes clear is that while all of this was happening on the national level; the real battle was taking place person by person in the deep south. The heroes were not limited to Dr. King and Rosa Parks; but included hundreds of yuoung people (the members of SNCC) who turned their backs on middle class educations; and literally put their bodies on the line (and all too often in the hospital) to force the power tructure in the South to recognize the rule of law.The courage and creativity of these young men and women comes through dramatically in Zinn's account--it is inspiring; and terrifying at the same time. Terrifying just how close to tyranny this country was in the early 60's. Inspiring to know that young people had the courage; intelligence; determination; and focus needed to battle that tyranny under the most oppressive conditions this country has known since the civil war. Remember; the horror of Emmit Till was only a few years in the past when these men and women decided to openly challenge the existing power structure.And best of all; they won. Read the book.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. It is simple: this is a great and insightful book!By ColeHoward did us proud. Anyone who wants to better understand the young people who fought in the southern struggle; should read this book.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. If you can't get the original this is a great subsitute.By John W HardyThis is the updated version of Zinn's original book. And though some what more concise it still is impacting. If you can't get the original this is a great subsitute.
