Beginning in 1842, Bain captures three dramatic decades in which the U.S. effectively doubled in size, fought three wars, & began to discover a new national identity. The narrative ends in 1873 in Washington, DC, with the crushing fall of a popular politician & the exposure of a powerful, hidden railroad lobby -- a scandal which dominated the press & the country's imagination for six months. The book draws on original sources & provides a new dimension not only to the epic endeavor of the transcontinental railroad but also to the culture, political struggles & social conflicts of an unforgettable period in American history. A drama of conflict, adventure, excitement, & suspense.Ó Archival photos.