Promotional Information

The life and times of a Canadian railroad giant

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgements
Prologue

Chapter One: Growing Up in Frontier Illinois
Chapter Two: Early Career
Chapter Three: Rapid Advancement
Chapter Four: New Challenges and Hobbies
Chapter Five: New Horizons
Chapter Six: Toward the Last Spike
Chapter Seven: Cutting Costs
Chapter Eight: The Final Push
Chapter Nine: All That Grant Was to the U.S.A.
Chapter Ten: Van Horne at the Helm
Chapter Eleven: Art for Art's Sake
Chapter Twelve: Family Matters
Chapter Thirteen: Cuba Beckons
Chapter Fourteen: Building the Cuba Railroad
Chapter Fifteen: Chasing the Money
Chapter Sixteen: Dodging the Grim Reaper

Afterword
Bibliography
Notes
Index

About the Author

Valerie Knowles is author of several books, including Strangers at Our Gates: Canadian Immigration and Immigration Policy, 1540–2006.

Reviews

"Given the subject's significance ... I think Indiana University Press has an opportunity ... to fill an inexcusable void in both railroad and Canadian history." Herbert H. Harwood, Jr., The New York, Westchester & Boston Railway: J. P. Morgan's Magnificent Mistake (IUP, 2008) "In From Telegrapher to Titan, Valerie Knowles takes us back to an era of frenzied progress, a time of frontier mentality and old money, and shows us a titan amongst men, who rose from being a messenger boy to the Chairman of the Canadian Pacific Railway while becoming one of the foremost art patrons of his time as well as a devoted father and husband. Van Horne's legacy is felt today--his signature forever etched upon the country in tracks, coast to coast." Rail Canadien "For the most part, Van Horne was a remarkable person and for Canada a real hero that helped pull Canada together and settle the west. Valerie Knowles has done an excellent job in describing the man and telling his story. The book is easy to read and, as in all good history books, includes a broad range of references. It is certainly well worth the read and is a must for anyone who wants to learn more about Van Horne." Bruce Ballantyne, Branchline