IRON EMPIRES Robber Barons, Railroads, and the Making of Modern America

The story of how the railroads drove the creation of the American colossus after the Civil War is given a fine narration by Nick Tecoksy. Looking at the lives of Vanderbilt, Gould, Morgan, and Harriman, one is presented with a Shakespearean cast of characters who show all seven sins, as well as a few virtues. Tecoksy's style is energetic but, while overall sufficiently expressive, sometimes seems a bit breathless in delivery. He has a clear voice and though he moves at a quick pace, the listener can still follow the narration easily enough. His inflection is good, and he does not differentiate between quotes and narrative. M.T.F. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2020]