In this episode Matt Crawford speaks with author Michael Hiltzik about his book Iron Empires. This is the story of how the railroad industry shaped America as we know it and the men that built those rails to their wishes. Immediately after the Civil War this country was still very much a nation divided and the railroads were quite possibly one of the most important aspects to mending that rift. A read that comprises, business, biography, history, adventure and intrigue this is a book that begs to be read.