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This 456-page, hardbound book by Dennis P. McIlney tells the true story of the Nazi plot in World War II to destroy the Horseshoe Curve near Altoona, Pennsylvania, the Mecca of American railroading. It also recounts the history of the founding of the Pennsylvania Railroad, building of Horseshoe Curve, and the FBI's arrest of "alien enemies" (suspected Nazi sympathizers) in the US during the war, including 225 people in Altoona.
This book will definitely appeal to you if you have an interest in:
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Spy novels and books about terrorism
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Railroads...and the Pennsylvania RR in particular
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American History
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World War II and the Nazis
The Horseshoe Curve tells the tale of three interconnected — but little known — events in American history:
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The Nazi plot during World War II to destroy Horseshoe Curve
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The FBI's search of the homes of 225 Altoonans on July 1, 1942 as "alien enemies" — suspected Nazi sympathizers — and the controversial internment of 15,000 German and Italian Americans in the US
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The human and organizational drama of founding the Pennsylvania RR and building Horseshoe Curve
Part spy story and part historical epic, The Horseshoe Curve seamlessly blends information from 300 sources, including diaries, biographies, histories, military records, engineering studies, company documents, court briefs, and FBI files acquired through the Freedom of Information Act to tell the riveting story of these three compelling events.
"Captures the reader's attention in the best tradition of spy novels.... A must read for history enthusiasts...."
— David W. Seidel, Horseshoe Curve Chapter, NRHS
"Fascinating and suspenseful"
— Bill Brady, J. Edgar Thompson Foundation
"Timely...splendid...McIlnay has done a service to our nation in bringing to light these events...."
— Cummins McNitt, Founding Director, Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum
"Intriguing and highly informative...Pennsy fans can't afford to miss this one."
— Randy Lee, Stationmaster, Highlands Station
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