Grand Central: How a Train Station Transformed America - Softcover

Roberts, Sam

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1455525979 ISBN 13: 9781455525973

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing, 2017

Synopsis

A richly illustrated - and entertaining - history of the iconic Grand Central Terminal from Sam Roberts of the New York Times

"This well-done piece of urban history will appeal to both railroad enthusiasts and general readers."-Booklist

Featuring quirky anecdotes and behind-the-scenes information, this book will allow readers to peek into the secret and unseen areas of Grand Central -- from the tunnels, to the command center, to the hidden passageways.

With stories about everything from the famous movies that have used Grand Central as a location to the celestial ceiling in the main lobby (including its stunning mistake) to the homeless denizens who reside in the building's catacombs, this is a fascinating and, exciting look at a true American institution.

About this title

About the Author:

Sam Roberts is an urban affairs correspondent and Metro Matters columnist for The New York Times, and, as such, has become something of the face and voice for the city at large. He is also the host of the"The New York Times Close Up" television interview program each weekend. He is the author of numerous books, including The Brother: The Untold Story of the Rosenberg Case. Sam is frequently heard on NPR.

From Booklist:

Grand Central Terminal in New York City owes its current incarnation to a fatal train crash in 1902, which was caused partially by human error and partially by design flaws in the New York Central Railroad system. The rebuilding of the terminal was a massive municipal project marshaling the talent and financial resources of leading architects, engineers, and artists. The result is an urban landmark akin to a palace as well as a transportation hub. Roberts, an urban-affairs correspondent for the New York Times, seems to have a love affair with the place, and he describes the building, evolution, and unique features of the terminal with an infectious passion. It is, as he notes, a major tourist attraction, the setting for key scenes in many motion pictures, and a center through which an estimated half a million people move each day. This well-done piece of urban history will appeal to both railroad enthusiasts and general readers. --Jay Freeman

About this edition

• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1455525979
• ISBN 13: 9781455525973
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320