Iron Horse Imperialism: The Southern Pacific of Mexico, 1880-1951 Book

The Southern Pacific of Mexicowas a U.S.?owned railroad thatoperated between 1898 and1951, running from the Sonoran town of Nogales, just acrossthe border from Arizona, to the city of Guadalajara, stoppingat several northwestern cities and port towns alongthe way. Owned by the Southern Pacific Company, whichoperated a highly profitable railroad system north of theborder, the ?SP de Mex? transported millions of passengersas well as millions of tons of freight over the years, bothwithin Mexico and across its northern border.However, as Daniel Lewis discloses in this thoroughlyresearched investigation of the railroad, it rarely turned aprofit. So why, Lewis wonders, did a savvy, money-mindedU.S. corporation continue to operate the railroad until itwas nationalized by the Mexican government more than ahalf-century after it was constructed?Incorporating information discovered in both Mexicanand American archives, some of which was previouslyunavailable to researchers, this comprehensive book deftlydescribes the complicated, decades-long dance betweenoblivious U.S. entrepreneurs and wary Mexican officials.?This is a fascinating story that is rich with historicaldetail.? ?Tucson Citizen?Lewis offers a thoughtful treatment of SP de Mex, andhis work fills an important historical void.? ?The Journal ofAmerican HistoryRead More