Description
Book SynopsisThe story of the Great Society Subway sheds light on the development of metropolitan Washington, postwar urban policy, and the promises and limits of rail transit in American cities.
Trade ReviewExtensively researched, cleverly structured, and finely written, this book stands out for the way it provides an integral, comprehensive account of a key urban service. -- Georg Leidenberger American Historical Review In this superbly-written book, Zachary Schrag... explains how this achievement came about and what its impact is... A joy to read. -- Gregory L. Thompson Technology and Culture The author makes us privy to the thinking that went into the system's design. -- Dennis Drabelle Washington Post Book World Schrag does a thorough job with his subject. -- Rachel DiCarlo Washington Times A timely look at how the Metro got where it is today. Civil Engineering It's a fascinating look at a modern transit triumph. Trains A graceful, fact-packed history of the genesis, development, and current state of the Washington Metro system. H-DC The Great Society Subway is a great book for students of contemporary transit history. -- Alexander D. Mitchell Railfan and Railroad An excellent book... a welcome and readable addition to the literature of how we construct the societies we inhabit. -- Alex Marshall Regional Plan Association Spotlight An exhaustively researched, engagingly written study of the planning, designing, building, and operating of the Washington Metro. -- Sy Adler Journal of American History [Schrag] shows the interrelationship of citizens' hopes and fears, visionaries' ideas, politicians' need to succeed, engineers' practical requirements, and the ebb and flow of affecting events over time. It is a fascinating story well told... a love story by an historian for his city and its people. -- William W. Millar Journal of the American Planning Association A masterful new book... Schrag's The Great Society Subway gives an eloquent and hopeful explanation of how this marvelous system came to be, and backs it up with an enormous amount of evidence and keen historical perspective. Washington History A meticulously researched account. -- Phil Hervey Urban Land Schrag has written a valuable study of the role of infrastructure in shaping the modern, urban world, and he aptly shows both the possibiities and limitations of major public investments... insights especially illuminating. -- J. Lawrence Lee CRM: Journal of Heritage Stewardship A welcome and readable addition to the literature of how we construct the societies we inhabit. -- Alex Marshall Hartford Courant Without question high drama... I strongly recommend that you put down the latest Baldacci mystery and ready this very well written, comprehensive, and entertaining book... one terrific book that belongs on lots of shelves, from planners to historians to rail buffs to politicians. -- Konrad J. Perlman Journal of Planning Literature A remarkable book. It has drama, it has pathos, it has passion, it has literary grace. -- Bob Post Journal of Transport History In clear and engaging prose, Schrag interweaves facts with a wide range of pragmatic, political, and aesthetic matters with discussions of those who posed and resolved the issues. -- Pamela Scott Journal of Social History In clear and engaging prose, Schrag interweaves facts with a wide range of pragmatic, political, and aesthetic matters with discussions of those who posed and resolved the issues. -- Pamela Scott Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments
Abbreviations
Introduction
1. The City, 1791–1955
2. The Plans, 1955–1965
3. The Stations, 1965–1967
4. The Region, 1966–1967
5. The Bridge, 1966–1971
6. The Builders, 1972–1976
7. The Money, 1972–1980
8. The District
9. The Suburbs
10. The Riders
Conclusion
Notes
Index
