# Need train related book recommendations **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 28, 2007, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-train-related-book-recommendations/428036 "2007-11-28T15:34:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TheMerchandise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b487fb/32.png) [@TheMerchandise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheMerchandise)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-train-related-book-recommendations/428036/1 "2007-11-28T15:34:09Z")
For Christmas, I am taking a journey across the country by train. New York City through Chicago all the way to Montana and holidays with the gigantic extended family. I’m doing it in style, too: sleeper car, meals in the dining car, wine and cheese tasting in the observation car. Since the trip is a little over two days, I imagine I’ll spend a lot of time reading. I’m looking for recommendations for train-appropriate books. Non-fiction, fiction, travel essays – if you recommend it, I’ll give it a try. _Murder on the Orient Express_ is already on my shelf, ready to go. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Surok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@Surok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surok)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-train-related-book-recommendations/428036/2 "2007-11-28T15:49:16Z")
[The Edge](http://www.amazon.com/Edge-Dick-Francis/dp/0425204391/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1196264810&sr=8-1) by Dick Francis. Most of the action takes place on a long-distance train trip which sounds very similar to yours. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-train-related-book-recommendations/428036/3 "2007-11-28T16:19:47Z")
_Atlas Shrugged_–though that’s probably a bit much for a two-day trip. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-train-related-book-recommendations/428036/4 "2007-11-28T16:33:42Z")
**Maxwell’s Train** by Christopher Hyde. Solid thriller that can really only be understood and appreciated by those who have experienced cross-country train travel. May be a little hard to find, but not impossible. Also, you may want to watch **Silver Streak** before you go. Fun Gene Wilder-Richard Pryor comedy from the 70s, but if you’ve never taken a long-distance train before, it will give you some idea of what to expect in the sleepers, dining cars, etc. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-train-related-book-recommendations/428036/5 "2007-11-28T16:40:44Z")
Paul Theroux, [_The Great Railway Bazaar_](http://www.amazon.com/Great-Railway-Bazaar-Paul-Theroux/dp/0618658947/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1196267987&sr=8-3). ---
**Author:** ![TheMerchandise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b487fb/32.png) [@TheMerchandise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheMerchandise)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-train-related-book-recommendations/428036/6 "2007-11-28T16:42:24Z")
[QUOTE=winterhawk11] _Atlas Shrugged_–though that’s probably a bit much for a two-day trip. 🙂 [/QUOTE] The name of the train from Chicago to Montana is “The Empire Builder.” Ayn Rand jumped immediately to mind. ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-train-related-book-recommendations/428036/7 "2007-11-28T16:50:31Z")
[QUOTE=twickster] Paul Theroux, [_The Great Railway Bazaar_](http://www.amazon.com/Great-Railway-Bazaar-Paul-Theroux/dp/0618658947/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1196267987&sr=8-3). [/QUOTE] Seconded - came in to mention this very book! ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-train-related-book-recommendations/428036/8 "2007-11-28T17:24:51Z")
[QUOTE=twickster] Paul Theroux, [_The Great Railway Bazaar_](http://www.amazon.com/Great-Railway-Bazaar-Paul-Theroux/dp/0618658947/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1196267987&sr=8-3). [/QUOTE] :smack: Did I just get Duffilled? 😉 How could I forget Theroux and his train books? I’ve read _The Great Railway Bazaar_ a few times. Since it’s been nominated and seconded, I’ll third it. He did a couple of other train books too: [_The Old Patagonian Express_](http://www.amazon.com/Old-Patagonian-Express-Through-Americas/dp/039552105X), and [_Riding the Iron Rooster_](http://www.amazon.com/Riding-Iron-Rooster-Paul-Theroux/dp/0804104549/ref=pd_sim_b_img_7). Each is well worth reading, though perhaps not quite up to the standard of _The Great Railway Bazaar_.