Tom Lewis Knihy

Flowing through a valley of sublime scenery, the Hudson River uniquely connects America’s past with its present and future. This book traces the course of the river through four centuries, recounting the stories of explorers and traders, artists and writers, entrepreneurs and industrialists, ecologists and preservationists—those who have been shaped by the river as well as those who have helped shape it. Their compelling narratives attest to the Hudson River’s distinctive place in American history and the American imagination. Among those who have figured in the history of the Hudson are Benedict Arnold, Alexander Hamilton, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, the Astors and the Vanderbilts, and Thomas Cole of the Hudson River school. Their stories appear here, alongside those of such less famous individuals as the surveyor who found the source of the Hudson and the engineer who tried to build a hydroelectric plant at Storm King Mountain. Inviting us to view the river from a wider perspective than ever before, this entertaining and enlightening book is worthy of its grand subject.

Anyone who has driven on a U.S. interstate or eaten at an exit-ramp McDonald's will gain a deeper understanding of modern America from this book. It offers a thoughtful analysis, infused with humor, of a subject central to contemporary life. The Interstate Highway System, the longest engineered structure in history, has profoundly influenced every aspect of American life. The author, an engaging prose stylist, provides a comprehensive examination of America's long-standing infatuation with automobiles and the relentless demand for improved road systems. He presents a lively narrative detailing the evolution of America's roadway system from one of the worst to the best in the world. The book recounts the successes of the U.S. federal highway program while also questioning the implications of these achievements. The author skillfully narrates the vision for the Interstates, the Congressional battles, and the impact of new highways on American life, essential for understanding the contemporary landscape. The story traces the development of the Interstate system, highlighting the demographic and economic pressures that shaped its planning and construction, as well as the conflicts between individuals and federal authorities. This updated edition brings the narrative to the present, addressing Boston's Big Dig project and the growing skepticism towards large federal infrastructure initiatives.