Reviews
"Ably tells the story of the New York rail system's most active and visible symbol: the architectural and engineering masterpiece, with its grand public concourse, in the heart of Midtown."--William Mitchell, New Scientist, This biography was a pleasure to read and perhaps even more important was a well balanced presentation., ""This biography was a pleasure to read and perhaps even more important was a well balanced presentation."", His study peels away our contemporary expectations and experiences and reveals the layers of history and acts of men that served as the foundation for this great structure., Schlichting writes with deep understanding of Grand Central's engineering feats and artistic qualities., "Kurt Schlichting's history of New York's Grand Central Terminal gathers many actors and events into a clearly written and amply illustrated narrative of American commercial initiative... In his detailed accounts of the fiscal, stylistic, and engineering decisions that went into the creation of especially the second Grand Central Terminal, Schlichting clearly shows both how energetic and talented all of the people involved were and how dramatically they altered this central portion of New York City."--Amy Slaton, Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians, Kurt Schlichting's book is a fitting record of the history of New York City's central landmark, if not a national treasure., "The book is the most detailed account yet of one of the most important events in the history of 20th-century architecture, railroad development, and city building."-- Choice, "The most detailed account yet of one of the most important events in the history of 20th-century architecture, railroad development, and city building." -- Choice, Kurt Schlichting's history of New York's Grand Central Terminal gathers many actors and events into a clearly written and amply illustrated narrative of American commercial initiative... In his detailed accounts of the fiscal, stylistic, and engineering decisions that went into the creation of especially the second Grand Central Terminal, Schlichting clearly shows both how energetic and talented all of the people involved were and how dramatically they altered this central portion of New York City., Grand Central Terminal is celebrated for its Beaux-Arts style, but Kurt C. Schlichting looks behind the facade to see the hidden engineering marvels... [His] book will deepen anyone's appreciation for New York's most magnificent interior space., "Grand Central Terminal is celebrated for its Beaux-Arts style, but Kurt C. Schlichting looks behind the facade to see the hidden engineering marvels... [His] book will deepen anyone's appreciation for New York's most magnificent interior space."--Eric P. Nash, New York Times Book Review, Ably tells the story of the New York rail system's most active and visible symbol: the architectural and engineering masterpiece, with its grand public concourse, in the heart of Midtown., "Kurt Schlichting's book is a fitting record of the history of New York City's central landmark, if not a national treasure."--Paul Malo, New York History, The most detailed account yet of one of the most important events in the history of 20th-century architecture, railroad development, and city building., "Drawing heavily from the papers of William J. Wilgus (chief engineer of the New York Central Railroad and the genius behind plans for the smoke-free electrified rail system) and other primary-source material, the author combines railroading, structural engineering, architecture, and business history in a very readable text... [An] in-depth treatment of design and architecture."-- Library Journal, "Schlichting writes with deep understanding of Grand Central's engineering feats and artistic qualities."--Tom Lewis, Wilson Quarterly, "His study peels away our contemporary expectations and experiences and reveals the layers of history and acts of men that served as the foundation for this great structure."--Amy G. Richter, H-Urban, H-Net Reviews, Drawing heavily from the papers of William J. Wilgus (chief engineer of the New York Central Railroad and the genius behind plans for the smoke-free electrified rail system) and other primary-source material, the author combines railroading, structural engineering, architecture, and business history in a very readable text... [An] in-depth treatment of design and architecture.