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'The Transcontinental Railroads: A Great Accomplishment, But Maybe Not a Great Idea'

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Richard White
Richard White, a professor of American history at Stanford University, is the author of "Railroaded: The Transcontinentals and the Making of Modern America." He recently spoke about the book at the Minnesota History Center.
Courtesy of Jesse White

The Transcontinental Railroads were one of the defining accomplishments of the 19th century US. Historian Richard White says they did much to shape the American west, but much of that might better have been left undone. He talks about his book, "Railroaded: The Transcontinentals and the Making of Modern America." November 21, 2105 at the Minnesota Historical Society's "History Forum."