Double Jacks

by Michael ^Edward, Michael McGinley

Paperback

Published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Mark Engels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a railroader myself, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Railroading is a culture and an intricate story unto itself, meshed throughout by the individual stories of men and women doing their jobs and "tending the public's business." McGinley does an outstanding job of making these people, their jobs, and their lives seem real and raw and relevant. Recommended as requisite reading for anyone seeking to portray the lives of railroaders and the environment in which they live and work (you hear that, "Unstoppable" writers?)

[Doug Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

All the events in this book were very spot on compared to my short time at the railway. thing mustn't have changed much since the 80s. I enjoyed reading the book. leading up to the end I was a little disappointed with how it was going, but then it changed from how I thought it would end, and had a nice ending.

[Michael P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a fan of "workplace" shows like "The Deadliest Catch" or "Dirty Jobs," or you're a railfan, or (like me) you're a railfan *and* a fan of "Deadliest Catch," this is the book for you. Mr. McGinley is an experienced railroader, and it shows. His description of life on a financially-distressed carrier circa 1980 will feel exactly right to anyone who was there. He uses correct terminology and correct operating procedures throughout--something missing from far too much fiction involving railroads--and the down-and-dirty details of cleaning up a derailment are made fascinating.