The birth and growth of railroads in america was a tumultuous time. Iron Empires presents an interesting look at the rise of four key railroad robber barons and the empires they built. As much a history of Wall Street as a history of the railroads. The emphasis here is on the ownership struggles and the personalities rather than the details of how the specifics of the railroads involved. There is much here to contemplate in the context of our economic challenges and debate about the roll of concentrated wealth and Wall St, power on the rest of the country.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.