Book Review: Assembling Moral Mobilities. Cycling, Cities, and the Common Good by Nicholas A. Scott

road construction projects in the United States, resulted in the Powder River Basinâ s mines becoming the countryâ s largest by the 2000s. Their highly sought-after low-sulfur coal helped Midwestern and Northeastern utilities meet 1970s national policy goals for energy independence and reduced acid rain. Both books offer notable insights into post-1970 railroading, which is rarely mentioned at all in academic literature and never with the depth of analysis offered by Currie. Particularly notable are the chapters that examine labor protection agreements negotiated in advance of the 1970 merger, as well as their subsequent evolution. Even though Currie held a senior position within the organization, his detailed approach succeeds in presenting a balanced perspective of labor-management relations and the agency with which both sides were able to shape outcomes. His careful consideration of labor issues—especially the form and function of union negotiations and labor agreements—is without parallel in other histories of post-WWII American railroads. Additionally, several chapters discuss the Burlington Northern’s management of land and resource holdings, many of which originated in 19th-century land grants from the federal government. The use of lands received by railroads in land grants was a controversial issue in the mid-20th century, and the post-WWII impact of these resources on the course of corporation evolution is rarely mentioned, let alone critically examined historically. Currie’s explanation of resource management within shifting market pressures provides a broader view for exploring changes in corporate culture and their impact on railroad operations. These three books are important contributions to the study of American railroad history. A Mighty Fine Road presents a complex history of the storied Rock Island in a single volume. I expect this will be a frequently cited work for scholars looking at railroads in the development of the Great Plains and post–WWII railroad bankruptcies. Currie’s histories of the Burlington Northern are perhaps the most notable contributions to the study of American railroads after 1970. The detailed, nuanced analysis will facilitate future works drawing comparisons across industries and international contexts— especially the modernization and liberalization of state monopolies.