Grand Central, Sam Roberts
Grand Central, Sam Roberts
List: $24.98 | Sale: $17.49
Club: $12.49

Grand Central
How a Train Station Transformed America

Author: Sam Roberts, Pete Hamill

Narrator: Sam Roberts

Unabridged: 6 hr 59 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 12/17/2013

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included


Synopsis

A rich, illustrated - and entertaining -- history of the iconic Grand Central Terminal, from one of New York City's favorite writers, just in time to celebrate the train station's 100th fabulous anniversary.

In the winter of 1913, Grand Central Station was officially opened and immediately became one of the most beautiful and recognizable Manhattan landmarks. In this celebration of the one hundred year old terminal, Sam Roberts of The New York Times looks back at Grand Central's conception, amazing history, and the far-reaching cultural effects of the station that continues to amaze tourists and shuttle busy commuters.

Along the way, Roberts will explore how the Manhattan transit hub truly foreshadowed the evolution of suburban expansion in the country, and fostered the nation's westward expansion and growth via the railroad.

Featuring quirky anecdotes and behind-the-scenes information, this book will allow readers to peek into the secret and unseen areas of Grand Central -- from the tunnels, to the command center, to the hidden passageways.

With stories about everything from the famous movies that have used Grand Central as a location to the celestial ceiling in the main lobby (including its stunning mistake) to the homeless denizens who reside in the building's catacombs, this is a fascinating and, exciting look at a true American institution.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Joseph on October 09, 2023

Whenever someone, who has never been to New York City, asks me what's it like my standard response has always been the same: "Love it or hate it, it is the one place you should visit in your lifetime. There is nothing like it." OR To quote Truman Capote, not word for word, but close enough, "I walk do......more

Goodreads review by Mark on February 21, 2021

Roberts weaves a wonderful tale about America's most famous train station.......more

Goodreads review by V. on December 13, 2013

From its inception, planners and architects intended Grand Central Terminal to become not merely a locus of commerce and industry on 42nd Street, but a testament both to the Beaux Arts ideal and to New York City as an emerging world center. Although Sam Roberts' Grand Central (written for the one hu......more

Goodreads review by Alice on August 17, 2013

I have grown up going in and out of Grand Central- and like so many of us, have been a part of the many changes over the years. I am thrilled to know the history, the secrets and the triumphs of GCT. I am forever grateful to the committee who preserved it for all of us who have an undeniable passion......more

Goodreads review by Robert on April 26, 2018

The story of Grand Central station is a story of American captialism and American Government working side by side and thriving together. The first idea of Grand Central was a private enterprise idea of Commodore Vanderbilt in the 1860’s where he paid $100M of his own money to build the first major t......more