The National Road: George Washington and America's First Highway West

ISBN: 1635769493

Author: Crytzer, Brady J.

Condition: New

Upon Americas 250th anniversary comes the story of a new republic forging unity through ambition and action, inspired by George Washingtons youthful dream to build the nations first highway westThe National Road is the first narrative his - tory of the federal project-begun decades before the nation itself was born and rang - ing through the 1830s-that connected the United States across the Alleghenies and into the western frontier. Starting with a young Washingtons dream of uniting the Potomac and Ohio Rivers, historian Brady J. Crytzer traces the political rivalries and engineering marvels that created an artery bringing settlers, ideas, and commerce deep into the American interior.Washington scouted the western fron - tier as a surveyor and championed a route to unite the fledgling republic. Albert Gallatin, Americas longest-serving treasury secre - tary, battled political opposition to fund the project. Thomas Jefferson, torn between his agrarian ideals and the demands of a grow - ing nation, ultimately championed the road as a means of securing western lands and extending democratic reach. And Henry Clay harnessed the road to advance his bold American System.With visionaries, rebels, and everyday families seeking the American dream, and featuring congressional showdowns and backroom deals to mountain crossings and frontier towns, The National Road reveals the triumphs and tragedies of an infrastructure saga that helped define the United States.