Examines the role of the horse in the lives of ordinary Americans throughout the history of the country.

A riveting look at the evolution of transportation in American cities, Straphanging in America begins with an examination of the horsecar and omnibus, then traces the extraordinary impact of the cable car, elevated railway, interurban, and subway on city life -- and the nation. Capturing people's imaginations with its "magical" use of electricity, trolley cars made pollution-free, inexpensive, mass urban transportation possible and created suburbs. Interurbans connected cities, spawned new towns, and made overland travel a national pastime. Subways solved the problem of street congestion. Beyond the effects on landscape, urban transport unified cities as people of all economic backgrounds rubbed elbows. Vividly illustrating America's urban transformation, Straphanging in America captures the excitement of a nation and its burgeoning technology.

Once purely for adventure, flight has become an integral part of everyday life. Beginning with the first hot air balloon flight to jet fighter planes of today, Sandler traces man's quest to conquer the blue skies. This book has a wealth of beautiful illustrations that give readers an extensive peek into the past. Also, included are two sidebars that take an in-depth look at one aspect of social history. Backmatter includes timeline, places to visit, further readings, and an index.

Preachers railed against it: "Traveling at speeds up to 20 miles per hour went against the Lord's plan!" Doctors told their patients that traveling on it would cause serious physical and mental ailments, including the boiling of the blood. Newspapers cried out, "It is a topsy-turvy, harum-scarum whirligig!" But it didn't matter: America loved the train and the freedom of movement that came with it. Riding the Rails in America traces the dynamic relationship of America with the train, showing how the railroad was the single largest influence on the development of the nation's history and economy as it became possible to move freight and people farther and faster than ever before.

Canoes, clippers, schooners, sloops, whalers, flatboats, steamboats, hydrofoils, submersibles -- the story of American transport by water has been one of constant adventure and advancement. On the Waters of America traces the remarkable history of America's romance with water transport, from Native American birch bark canoes to precarious crossings of the Atlantic to the astonishing boom in ship-building to present-day innovations. The countless rivers, bays, lakes, deep harbors, (and eventually canals) and two vast oceans necessitated the development of ships and boats as lifelines for commerce and travel, but it was the desire for mobility that made Americans eager to embrace each new means of transport. Illustrated with numerous photographs, maps, sidebars, and a technology timeline, On the Waters of America is a fascinating recounting of America's seafaring tradition.