The fast-paced and gripping true account of the extraordinary construction and spectacular demise of the Key West Railroad—one of the greatest engineering feats ever undertaken, destroyed in one fell swoop by the strongest storm ever to hit U.S. shores. In 1904, the brilliant and driven entrepreneur Henry Flagler, partner to John D. Rockefeller, dreamed of a railway connecting the island of Key … the island of Key West to the Florida mainland, crossing a staggering 153 miles of open ocean—an engineering challenge beyond even that of the Panama Canal. Many considered the project impossible, but build it they did. The railroad stood as a magnificent achievement for more than twenty-two years, heralded as “the Eighth Wonder of the World,” until its total destruction in 1935’s deadly storm of the century.
In Last Train to Paradise, Standiford celebrates this crowning achievement of Gilded Age ambition, bringing to life a sweeping tale of the powerful forces of human ingenuity colliding with the even greater forces of nature’s wrath.
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It was a wonderful story of the history of Flagler and his accomplishments in Florida
Interesting if you’re not from south Florida, should be mandatory reading if you are. Henry Flagler is a name you see in so many places but this explains why. Julia Tuttle, William Krome…same thing. Great story made even better by the fact that it’s non-fiction.
Katie (my wife), Andy (my son), and I are going to the Keys for a few days at the end of February. I’ve never been, so I read this book to learn a little about (one part of) their history. The book is a lot like Florida — light, breezy, and fun. It’s worth reading if you’re ever planning a trip to the Keys, but not otherwise.
All aboard for this gripping page turner that informs, entertains, and leaves the reader yearning for the magic of a train adventure … well outside of hurricane season. Book-ended by Hemingway’s efforts to prepare his boat for the infamous Labor Day Hurricane — and the preceding aftermath — is the tale of Henry Flagler’s determined effort of …
Fascinating story of how Henry Flagler and his railroad brought settlement to Florida. I had no idea of his influence in setting up cities like Miami and Palm Beach. His drive to extend his railroad to Key West despite multiple devastating hurricanes was incredible! The author brought these hurricanes to life using stories directly from …
The historic, astounding venture to build a railroad from South Florida to Key West reads like an action thriller. Thank you, Les Standiford, for making history come alive!
I expected this to be an informative book -and that, it was! But I didn’t expect the suspense. This book about visionary entrepreneur Henry Flagler’s dream for our country was hard to put down. Despite three devastating hurricanes, overwhelming hordes of mosqutioes and the oppresive heat of the early 1900s, Flagler and his crew persevered unti the …
The man who fulfilled his vision of paradise!
Henry Flagler made his fortune as a partner of John D Rockefeller in Standard Oil. Flagler had a vision to build a railroad along the Atlantic coast from Jacksonville to Key West. Overcoming huge obstacles regarding building & environmental challenges, Flagler spent the last years of his life …
Les Standiford’s Last Train to Paradise opens aboard the rescue train that was sent to save the World War I veterans who comprised the bulk of the WPA workers laboring in Keys at the height of the Great Depression – in the midst of the most powerful hurricane to ever strike the U.S.
After setting the scene with the rescue train, Standiford moves …
I grew up listening to the Florida East Coast Railroad rumbling through the night. One of my fondest memories of school was going to Flagler Museum in Palm Beach. So I really enjoyed reading about the building of the extension to Key West. It was an amazing accomplishment of determination and engineering against incredible odds.
What a wonderful book! It is the real story of Henry Flagler and his extraordinary
accomplishments. Henry was John D. Rockefeller’s partner in Standard Oil and a very wealthy man. He was driven to succeed and succeed he did.
When his beloved wife was advised to go to a warm climate for health reasons, he took her to Florida.
At that time, Florida …
If your a history buff this is a fun book to read. I read it just before I visited the Florida Keys and seeing the remains of the railroad was cool after having just read the book
Very interesting. Good history of Florida
A very interesting piece of history.
I was not aware of this endeavor. What a crazy accomplishment at such a high cost.
Great read! Henry Flagler’s vision and determination helps brings the Florida Keys to life. If you’ve made the drive down US 1 – the Overseas Highway – you will recognize places and better understand the engineering feat it took to create it.
Pretty good read. Bought it in anticipation of a vacation in the Keys. Lots of background on the Keys in the early 20th century. Fairly easy read.
If you have ever visited the Florida Keys, this book will give you a good background into the development of the Keys. Big money, big ideas, a grand scale engineering feat. Man’s attempt to conquer nature. Hurricanes, climate, and conditions challenge the ambitions of Flagler the money man.
Especially interesting because I live close to the keys and didn’t know aboutFlagler his work.
True story that reads like fiction. Couldn’t put it down.