This listing is for a First Printing of "End O' Steel: Men and Rails Across a Wilderness" by Glen Dines.
Published byย The MacMillan Company in 1963, this book chronicles the construction of a railway line through the untamed wilderness of northern British Columbia, Canada, with illustrations by Dick Moore.
2. About the Book ๐โ๏ธโจ
"End O' Steel" focuses on the human endeavor involved in building the railway, highlighting the hard labor, the engineering feats, and the personal stories of the men who faced the harsh conditions.
Dines captures the spirit of determination and perseverance that drove the project, portraying the railway as a symbol of progress and a testament to the resilience of those who conquered the wilderness to connect communities.
3. About the Author โ๏ธ๐๏ธ
Glen Dines was an author who specialized in documenting historical events and human endeavors, often with a focus on the Canadian landscape and its development. His achievement with "End O' Steel" lies in his ability to bring to life the story of a significant engineering and human achievement.
Dines's writing combines historical research with storytelling, offering readers a compelling account of the challenges and triumphs involved in building the railway. His work contributes to the historical record of Canadian development and celebrates the spirit of those who shaped the nation's infrastructure.
4. Historical/Political Era Context ๐๐ฐ๏ธ๐
Published in 1963, this book reflects a mid-20th-century fascination with historical narratives of human ingenuity and infrastructure building.
The story of the railroad, a powerful symbol of progress, was a popular subject. This book serves as a historical document that captures that cultural interest and provides insight into the history of Canadian development.
5. The Ideal Collector ๐ก๐ง๐๏ธ
This book is for an enthusiast of Canadian history and railroad narratives, a collector who values a book for its content as a historical narrative, and its nostalgic appeal as a vintage book.
The provenance, which includes a prior owner's name and a bookstore tag, adds a unique piece of history to this specific copy.
6. Value & Rarity ๐โจ๐๏ธ
This First Printing of "End O' Steel" is a fine item for enthusiasts of Canadian history and railroad narratives. Its value is for its content as a historical narrative and its nostalgic appeal as a vintage book.
The provenance, which includes a prior owner's name and a bookstore tag fromย Capwells, adds a small, unique piece of history to this specific copy.
This book isย 62 years old as of 2025.
7. Condition ๐๐โจ
This book is a used hardcover edition.
The binding shows visible wear consistent with its age, including rubbing, scuffing, and some discoloration to the boards.
The pages are age-toned but remain clear and legible.
A handwritten inscription with the previous owner's name is on the front endpaper.
A bookstore tag from "Capwells" is on the back endpaper.
This item came from a local estate sale and was in the previous owner's home office for many years.
8. Fun Facts & Unique Features ๐ค๐๐คฉ
The book's illustrator, Dick Moore, was a notable children's book illustrator.
The publisher, The MacMillan Company, was a major player in American and Canadian publishing throughout the 20th century.
The railroad discussed in the book, the Pacific Great Eastern Railway (now a part of CN Rail), was instrumental in opening up remote areas of British Columbia.
