You Wouldn't Want to Work on the Railroad!: A Track You'd Rather Not Go Down

by Ian Graham, David Salariya

Offers a humorous but factual look at the life of a laborer working on the transcontinental railroad.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Childrens, American History

Paperback

First published August 1, 2000

About the author

After working as an in-house journalist and editor in consumer electronics magazines, Ian Graham became a freelance writer. He has written more than 230 illustrated non-fiction books for children and teens, and contributed chapters to books including Dorling Kindersley’s Know it All and Big Ideas that Changed the World. He has a degree in applied physics and a postgraduate diploma in journalism.

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

NO YOU REALLY WOULDN'T WANT TO! The first transcontinental railroad, started in the 1860's was some of the most miserable work I've read (from any of these books)….
The jobs and descriptions are listed like the surveyor, the grader who dug the path for the railway, the tracklayer (who I think had the worst job: pick up with 3 workers, 30 ft/560 lb. track pieces) day in and day out, bridge builder, etc.
It also talks about pay, food, coping with weather, coping with nature, coping with Native Americans, coping with illness, speediness of the rail building, the danger of liquid explosives, the immigrant workers, etc.
The book does kind of end on a sour note talking about the good and bad points that the railway served or didn't during its early years.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

This title of the “You wouldn’t want to…” series describes the perils and pitfalls of a construction crew working on the transcontinental railroad. Breezy and comical treatment of topics such as day-to-day life on the line, tasks and tools, and the impact of the railroad will keep readers entertained as well as informed. Cartoon characters and funky fonts and layouts give this title lots of appeal. Every spread also includes a "Handy Hint" box. Back matter consists of an index and glossary. Endpapers feature a timeline and “Top Railroad People.” The title would be a worthwhile addition to any library.

[Wicklund · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many books in the 'You Wouldn't Want To' series are of well known figures in movies, but books from the perspective of historical construction workers are most educational. Perhaps because these books' events took place over the shorter periods of history, those including'Railroad' give the most in depth look at what the reader would go through in a year. The series' 'Statue of Liberty' and 'Great Wall of China' books are also detailed, but this one is about a more important event than 'statue of liberty' and gives a better look at its historical significance than that of the 'great wall.'

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with the other books in this series, this is a mildly fictionalized version of historical events. In this case, an Irish immigrant signs up to work on the Transcontinental Railroad, with various trials and tribulations along the way.
The flippant nature of the telling will keep kids entertained, but the story as told is simplified in odd ways, and cleaned up in others that make it a less-than-reliable account. For the most part, the job is portrayed as not being that bad, which makes the title seem odd.

[Tamara · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was curious as it took the view of an Irish Railroad worker on the transcontinental railroad rather than that of a chinese worker. If you are looking for children's books that cover the construction, excitement and turmoil of the building of the railroad there are much better ones out there than this one.

[Duane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great series to introduce young readers to people and places of our past. We follow a Irish immigrant as he learns all the different jobs that came with creating the railline that stretched from coast to coast. Vivid illustrations and humor make this a enjoyable read.

[Knischansr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellant illustrations, David Antram is great as an illustrator

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son has devoured this series of books! Great to go along with history!! Fun books!

[Junessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another nice book in this series. I didn't like this one as much as the others but still informative and interesting to read.

[Kelly Carey · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is truly amazing was what accomplished with hard work and long hours.