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âSucceeds admirably as an introductory survey of the early American travel experienceââfrom the National Book Award-nominated author (Journal of Transport History). Â What was travel like in the 1880s? Was it easy to get from place to place? Were the rides comfortable? How long did journeys take? Wet Britches and Muddy Boots describes all forms of public transport from canal boats to oceangoing vessels, passenger trains to the overland stage. Trips over long distances often involved several modes of transportation and many days, even weeks. Baggage and sometimes even children were lost en route. Travelers might start out with a walk down to the river to meet a boat for the journey to a town where they caught a stagecoach for the rail junction to catch the train for a ride to the city. John H. White Jr. discusses not only the means of travel but also the people who made the system runâriverboat pilots, locomotive engineers, stewards, stagecoach drivers, seamen. He provides a fascinating glimpse into a time when travel within the United States was a true adventure. âThroughout this massive work, the author repeatedly captures the romance, flavor, and color associated with travel.ââChoice âEvery chapter, in any order, will constitute a well-spent and informative read. Journey with this book soon!ââNational Railway Historical Society Bulletin â[A] popular history, informative and engaging . . . White has given us a book thatâs as unusual as it is useful. Read it cover-to-cover or just pick out a random chapter in a stolen hour, and the book will be equally enjoyable either way.ââRailroad History |
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