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The National Road: George Washington and America's First Highway West
Not yet published
Expected 14 Apr 26Timed for America's 250th anniversary, The National Road is the dramatic story of how a fragile new republic forged unity through ambition and action, fueled by George Washington's youthful dream to build the United States' first highway west and paving the way for the growth of a nation of unmatched liberty and possibility.
Spanning the 1750s, decades before the nation itself was born, through the 1830s, The National Road is the first narrative history of the ambitious federal project that connected the young United States across the Alleghenies and into the western frontier. Starting with a young George Washington's dream of uniting the Potomac and Ohio Rivers, award-winning historian Brady J. Crytzer vividly recounts the political debates, personal rivalries, and engineering marvels that culminated in a vital artery that brought settlers, ideas, and commerce into the American interior.
George Washington scouted the western frontier as a young surveyor and championed a national route to unify the fledgling republic. Albert Gallatin, America's Swiss Founding Father and longest-tenured Secretary of the Treasury, battled political opposition to fund the project. Thomas Jefferson, torn between his agrarian ideals and the demands of a growing republic, ultimately championed the Road as a means of securing western lands and extending democratic reach. And Henry Clay harnessed the Road to advance his bold American System, transforming vision into reality through fierce legislative strategy.
Told with sparkling clarity and drive, The National Road is filled with visionaries, rebels, immigrants, and everyday families seeking the American dream. From fiery congressional showdowns and backroom deals to perilous mountain crossings and boisterous frontier towns, Brady J. Crytzer reveals the triumphs and tragedies of a century-long infrastructure saga that helped define the United States.
Spanning the 1750s, decades before the nation itself was born, through the 1830s, The National Road is the first narrative history of the ambitious federal project that connected the young United States across the Alleghenies and into the western frontier. Starting with a young George Washington's dream of uniting the Potomac and Ohio Rivers, award-winning historian Brady J. Crytzer vividly recounts the political debates, personal rivalries, and engineering marvels that culminated in a vital artery that brought settlers, ideas, and commerce into the American interior.
George Washington scouted the western frontier as a young surveyor and championed a national route to unify the fledgling republic. Albert Gallatin, America's Swiss Founding Father and longest-tenured Secretary of the Treasury, battled political opposition to fund the project. Thomas Jefferson, torn between his agrarian ideals and the demands of a growing republic, ultimately championed the Road as a means of securing western lands and extending democratic reach. And Henry Clay harnessed the Road to advance his bold American System, transforming vision into reality through fierce legislative strategy.
Told with sparkling clarity and drive, The National Road is filled with visionaries, rebels, immigrants, and everyday families seeking the American dream. From fiery congressional showdowns and backroom deals to perilous mountain crossings and boisterous frontier towns, Brady J. Crytzer reveals the triumphs and tragedies of a century-long infrastructure saga that helped define the United States.
368 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication April 14, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“The National Road” is a treasure. Packed with facts about the first federally-funded highway in the United States, it reads like a novel rather than a nonfiction book.
I first learned about the National Road from my father, many years ago. He was born near the city of Richmond, Indiana, through which it passed. Fast forward many years, and I learned so much more about it, this time from Brady J Crytzer’s book. Three principal sections, highlighting George Washington, Albert Gallatin, and Henry Clay, outline the roles of each of these key players in the planning and construction of the National Road.
Crytzer also explains how the development of other forms of transportation led to the neglect and lack of completion of parts of the National Road. Trains were able to transport so much produce and other goods than the Conestoga wagons in use at the time. Automobiles began to replace horse-drawn coaches. The Post Office decided to deliver mail for free to rural patrons who lived on roads of suitable quality. A group called the “Good Roads Movement” played a crucial role in meeting these new requirements.
I recommend “The National Road” to those interested in early US history and transportation. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reader copy. This is my honest review.
I first learned about the National Road from my father, many years ago. He was born near the city of Richmond, Indiana, through which it passed. Fast forward many years, and I learned so much more about it, this time from Brady J Crytzer’s book. Three principal sections, highlighting George Washington, Albert Gallatin, and Henry Clay, outline the roles of each of these key players in the planning and construction of the National Road.
Crytzer also explains how the development of other forms of transportation led to the neglect and lack of completion of parts of the National Road. Trains were able to transport so much produce and other goods than the Conestoga wagons in use at the time. Automobiles began to replace horse-drawn coaches. The Post Office decided to deliver mail for free to rural patrons who lived on roads of suitable quality. A group called the “Good Roads Movement” played a crucial role in meeting these new requirements.
I recommend “The National Road” to those interested in early US history and transportation. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reader copy. This is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Diversion Books and NetGalley for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I thought this was a fascinating and engaging look at the National Road and its lasting impact on American history. I lived in Maryland for over 30 years and often drove on the National Road. This book brought the history of the road to life for me—not just as a stretch of infrastructure, but as a living artery that shaped communities, commerce, and westward expansion.
This is an excellent read for anyone interested in American history, transportation, or the stories hidden in the landscapes we travel every day. I finished this feeling more informed of the role the National Road played in shaping the nation.
I thought this was a fascinating and engaging look at the National Road and its lasting impact on American history. I lived in Maryland for over 30 years and often drove on the National Road. This book brought the history of the road to life for me—not just as a stretch of infrastructure, but as a living artery that shaped communities, commerce, and westward expansion.
This is an excellent read for anyone interested in American history, transportation, or the stories hidden in the landscapes we travel every day. I finished this feeling more informed of the role the National Road played in shaping the nation.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews