I'm using this book in a state and local government class, so that undoubtedly colors my opinion. This book is incredibly thorough, lots of details, but incredibly dull. I wouldn't recommend it unless you're a professor, student, or incredibly interested in and excited about state and local politics. Good as a reference, but that's about it

THIS IS A FANTASTIC TO THE POINT BOOK; CLEAR AND CONCISE! JUST THE THING WHEN TRYING TO GET AN UNBIASED OPINION OF A VERY COMPLEX TOPIC.

I pity the poor trees that sacrificed their lives to provide the pulp for this book.

The book adds nothing to the debate on Amtrak; uses statistical correlation to substantiate the obvious (i.e. -- Trains are most often supported by people who live in large urban areas); and, generally loses the reader somewhere after the first chapter.

Much of the analysis he outlines is out-of-date and offers very, very little constructive support on how a passenger rail system should and could be built.

If Mr. Nice, who obviously is well-educated and statistically gifted, ever endeavors to write again on Amtrak, may I offer two thoughts. First, ask the question, "How will my paper help frame the contemporary debate on Amtrak," and second, "Who can I influence with it."

Absent these issues, chain me to a tree, so I can save the woods from another useless academic paper.

this book is a very informative look at the history of americas National passanger railway corp. I recomend it to anyone who has an intrest in rail in america