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Charles P. Brown
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Brownie the Boomer: The Life of Charles P. Brown, an American Railroader (Railroads in America) Hardcover – July 1, 1991

by H. Roger Grant (Editor)
5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 6 ratings
See all formats and editions
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Charles P. Brown—"a boomer railroad man"—offers in this exceptional autobiography an unusually vivid portrayal of everyday life as a trainman for some of the country's greatest rail lines.

An itinerant railroad worker, or "boomer," Brown hopscotched across America between 1900 and 1913 seeking employment wherever opportunities arose. His wanderlust led him into a variety of jobs—including fireman, brakeman, switchman—for such railroads as the Santa Fe, Union Pacific, Wabash, and New York Central until he was disabled at age thirty-four in a railroad accident. In this sometimes tragic, frequently funny, behind-the-scenes account of railroading, Brownie reveals the reality of working conditions for the railroad laborer at the turn of the century as he relates his many adventures and misadventures.

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    279 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Northern Illinois University Press
  4. Publication date
    July 1, 1991
  5. Reading age
    18 years and up
  6. Dimensions
    6 x 1 x 9 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    9780875801469
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0875801469
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Farm work in Indiana not to his liking, 19-year-old Charlie Brown and a friend hopped a freight train for Chicago in 1898. So began Brown's career as an itinerant railroad worker, a "boomer"--15 years as fireman, brakeman, switchman on the major rail lines of the country. After a near-fatal accident in 1913, Brown wrote this autobiography , which was published in the 1920s; Grant, editor of Railway History , here provides background and explanatory notes. Brown's unpretentious and matter-of-fact story offers a fine portrait of working conditions in the early years of the century. He lived in boardinghouses and the YMCA; he recalls events that involve runaway cars, a train robbery, drunken brawls, a collision, chance meetings with other "boomers." Rail buffs and social historians will welcome this colorful bit of Americana. Photos.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A fine portrait of working conditions in the early years of the century.... A colorful bit of Americana."

-Publishers Weekly

"A firsthand account of the life of an itinerant blue-collar working man of 90 years ago.... A document of unique significance."―Los Angeles Times Book Review

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0875801463
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Northern Illinois University Press (July 1, 1991)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 279 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780875801469
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0875801469
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.33 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 6 ratings

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Charles P. Brown

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Customer reviews

5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5
6 global ratings
On "Brownie the Boomer"......
5 Stars
On "Brownie the Boomer"......
A tremendous insight into the (early twentieth century) world of a "Rail" (railroad employee), heavy with the vernacular of the industry (most of which is still used by today's "Rails"), with their irreverant sense of humor, which ranges from passive subtleties to outrageous exercises. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED READING!
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Top reviews from the United States

Jim
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2021
Verified Purchase
Great story and easy read
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charlie bogle
5.0 out of 5 stars if you love railroads and history like I do
Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2014
Verified Purchase
if you love railroads and history like I do,,,this is the book to buy,,, it takes you back to the early part of 1900's and you will read and reread this book, It is a gem! I feel like I know Brownie,,,,I worked for serveral years for a railroad and feel a connection to this story. By far my favorite railroad book.
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Carl
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2014
Verified Purchase
If you like railroads you'll like this book, was hard to put down
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Horace Shukerve
5.0 out of 5 stars On "Brownie the Boomer"......
Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2007
A tremendous insight into the (early twentieth century) world of a "Rail" (railroad employee), heavy with the vernacular of the industry (most of which is still used by today's "Rails"), with their irreverant sense of humor, which ranges from passive subtleties to outrageous exercises. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED READING!
Customer image
Horace Shukerve
5.0 out of 5 stars On "Brownie the Boomer"......
Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2007
A tremendous insight into the (early twentieth century) world of a "Rail" (railroad employee), heavy with the vernacular of the industry (most of which is still used by today's "Rails"), with their irreverant sense of humor, which ranges from passive subtleties to outrageous exercises. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED READING!
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2 people found this helpful
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