Conquering Gotham Audiobook By Jill Jonnes cover art

Conquering Gotham

The Construction of Penn Station and Its Tunnels

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Conquering Gotham

By: Jill Jonnes
Narrated by: David Drummond
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The demolition of Penn Station in 1963 destroyed not just a soaring neoclassical edifice, but also a building that commemorated one of the last century's great engineering feats: the construction of railroad tunnels into New York City.

Now, in this gripping narrative, Jill Jonnes tells this fascinating story - a high-stakes drama that pitted the money and will of the nation's mightiest railroad against the corruption of Tammany Hall, the unruly forces of nature, and the machinations of labor agitators.

In 1901, the president of the Pennsylvania Railroad, Alexander Cassatt, determined that it was technically feasible to build a system of tunnels connecting Manhattan to New Jersey and Long Island. Confronted by payoff-hungry politicians, brutal underground working conditions, and disastrous blowouts and explosions, it would take him nearly a decade to make Penn Station and its tunnels a reality.

©2007 Jill Jonnes (P)2007 Tantor Media Inc. Americas Railroad New York Construction History

Critic reviews

"An exemplary construction epic." ( Booklist)
"An important addition to the popular literature of...New York." ( Publishers Weekly)

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I really enjoyed the story. Great quotes and historical background on the construction of the Pennsylvania station and the East River tunnels. Important context given the current discussion on the new replacement tunnels.

Must read for Railroad History buffs

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The book is a compendium of stories related to the construction of the tunnel that connects Manhattan island to the mainland. The flow of the book is ok, some details did not have a meaning to me.

Amazing historic book

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I have been listening to books about the history of NYC and this was a great addition. The story is engaging and it was interesting to learn how a railroad centered in Philadelphia could have such an impact on Manhattan, but maybe not as much as it would have liked. I do wish the narrator had done a bit more homework on pronunciation of place names like Haverford and Bala Cynwyd. As a native of that area, I found the mispronunciations jarring. A very small complaint.

Everything but the pictures

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This was a good book, and it did make me feel better that politicians are probably a little better now than they were then. Only criticism is that I doubt Cassatt was the saint she makes him out to be. You don't rise to that level by being a 'nice guy' even if you're very honest and forthright, and have the best of intentions.

Business history

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The descriptions of the people and places of the first decade of the 20th-century, and the details of tunnel-building.

A trip to the past

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this audiobook to a friend because of the story. Even though we know that New York Penn Station was built and the tunnels were completed, hearing the amazing feats of engineering that needed to be accomplished and fact that they did not completely understand all that they were doing makes for an engaging story. And then there is the political corruption in New York at the time and how the Pennsylvania Rail Road refused to do anything underhanded to build these projects. It is surprising how much depended on luck and determination.

Have you listened to any of David Drummond’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the first performance that I have heard of David Drummond's. He was an exceptional reader.

A Project Greater than the Technology of its Day

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Fifty-three years. It only stood for fifty three years. That it was even built at all is amazing.
Jill Jonnes is a truly talented author who pays magnificent homage to the perfect storm of talent and foresight, and ideas and ideals, that combined to create the impossible, the miraculously beautiful public edifice known as Pennsylvania Station.
The book is meticulously crafted like the building itself; not a word is uninteresting not a thought is boring.
She patiently ilucidates the complex and fascinating history; with its intricate tapestry, intertwining graft, arrogance, ignorance, and outright manipulation of the miserable masses during the age of robber barons and unbridled capitalism. She brings necessary attention to those who are shamefully unfamiliar with their city’s loss due to a monumental act of corporate vandalism, civic barbarism and embarrassing public apathy.

Perhaps Americans deserve to scuttle in like rats.

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It was filled with information about NYC in that era. It gave proper context to subject. And Well narrated too.

Excellent book

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An absolutely wonderful history book. A compelling tale brought to life by an excellent author and an excellent reader. Highly recommend for anyone who likes history, trains, New York City, or stories set in the early-20th century.

Brilliant

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I was as really surprised about this piece of American history and technology. It was even a little suspenseful. Not knowing anything about this I was surprised and emotional at the ending. This a good read and/listen.

Well told story. Engaging and a bit suspenseful

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