Book Description: "A readable and concise overview of how U.S. transportation came to itspresent pass. . . . Goddard is at his best when recounting the complexand interesting history of what has come to be called 'the highwaylobby.'. . . An excellent book for the general reader with an interestin getting around."—Larry Fish, Philadelphia Inquirer"This is a riveting story: of mighty railroads hamstrung almostovernight by government bureaucrats; of road interests led by GeneralMotors Corp. conspiring in city after city to destroy efficient trolleysystems . . . and of freeways that are far from free."—Bill Laitner,Detroit Free Press"The combination of forces and fates that turned America into a giantparking lot from sea to shining sea is the subject of Stephen B.Goddard's lively pop history. . . . As Mr. Goddard ably points out,road-building and the creation of car-dependent suburbs have become endsin themselves."—James Howard Kunstler, Wall Street Journal"The strength of Goddard's book is that he understands the complexitiesof manipulating public opinion to influence legislatures."—DavidYoung, Chicago Tribune"[Goddard's] book is a deft and easily read history of howtransportation has shaped the nation and its economy, and ultimately,how a federation of truck and car interests drastically tilted nationalpolicies. . . . For many reasons this is an exceptionally importantwork."—Jim Dwyer, New York Newsday