The Great Society subway : a history of the Washington Metro

Extensively researched, cleverly structured, and finely written, this book stands out for the way it provides an integral, comprehensive account of a key urban service. -- Georg Leidenberger American Historical Review 2007 In this superbly-written book, Zachary Schrag,... explains how this achievement came about and what its impact is. Technology and Culture 2006 The author makes us privy to the thinking that went into the system's design. -- Dennis Drabelle Washington Post Book World 2006 Schrag does a thorough job with his subject. -- Rachel DiCarlo Washington Times 2006 A timely look at how the Metro got where it is today. Civil Engineering 2006 It's a fascinating look at a modern transit triumph. Trains 2006 A graceful, fact-packed history of the genesis, development, and current state of the Washington Metro system. H-DC 2006 The Great Society Subway is a great book for students of contemporary transit history. -- Alexander D. Mitchell Railfan and Railroad 2006 An excellent book... a welcome and readable addition to the literature of how we construct the societies we inhabit. -- Alex Marshall Regional Plan Association Spotlight 2006 An exhaustively researched, engagingly written study of the planning, designing, building, and operating of the Washington Metro. -- Sy Adler Journal of American History 2007 Beginning with the history of Washington, DC, and the influences that shaped it, Schrag presents one of the clearest explanations I have ever read on these complex processes... a love story by an historian for his city and its people. -- William W. Millar Journal of the American Planning Association 2007 Most readers of T&C will find The Great Society Subway a joy to read. -- Gregory L. Thompson Technology and Culture 2007 A masterful new book... Schrag's The Great Society Subway gives an eloquent and hopeful explanation of how this marvelous system came to be, and backs it up with an enormous amount of evidence and keen historical perspective. Washington History 2006 A meticulously researched account. -- Phil Hervey Urban Land 2007 Schrag has written a valuable study of the role of infrastructure in shaping the modern, urban world, and he aptly shows both the possibiities and limitations of major public investments... insights especially illuminating. -- J. Lawrence Lee CRM: Journal of Heritage Stewardship 2007 A welcome and readable addition to the literature of how we construct the societies we inhabit. -- Alex Marshall Hartford Courant 2006 Without question high drama... I strongly recommend that you put down the latest Baldacci mystery and ready this very well written, comprehensive, and entertaining book... one terrific book that belongs on lots of shelves, from planners to historians to rail buffs to politicians. -- Konrad J. Perlman Journal of Planning Literature 2007 A remarkable book. It has drama, it has pathos, it has passion, it has literary grace. -- Bob Post Journal of Transport History 2007 In clear and engaging prose, Schrag interweaves facts with a wide range of pragmatic, political, and aesthetic matters with discussions of those who posed and resolved the issues. -- Pamela Scott Journal of Social History 2008 In clear and engaging prose, Schrag interweaves facts with a wide range of pragmatic, political, and aesthetic matters with discussions of those who posed and resolved the issues. -- Pamela Scott Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians 2008 Read more...