Reviews for Whistle-Stop Politics

“Whistle-Stop Politics is a high-speed, low-turbulence venture into a small but illuminating facet of U.S. electoral politics.” —The Progressive

“In fifty-two years of journalism, I never knew what it was like to travel on a campaign train or bus—until Whistle-Stop Politics. Reading it, I now feel as if I had had those experiences—the history, the drama, the proximity, the uncertainty, the photos, even the old cartoons. A great job by Edward Segal.” —Bob Woodward, associate editor of the Washington Post and author of fifteen No. 1 New York Times bestselling books

“Whistle-Stop Politics is a great read! Especially for anyone who loves history and old-fashioned politics. Author Edward Segal takes us back to what pure politics and campaigning used to be.” —Jeff Pegues, former chief national affairs and justice correspondent for CBS News and former host of the America: Changed Forever podcast

“Just in time for the 2024 presidential election, a new book chronicles the storied history of whistle-stop campaign trains, from the earliest days of rail travel through to today…The stories are at times humorous, at times harrowing… Altogether, Segal has cataloged at least 180 campaign train trips throughout U.S. history—from William Henry Harrison to Joe Biden, with dozens of presidents, vice presidents, first ladies, representatives, senators and governors in between.” —Julie Carr Smyth, The Associated Press

“Whistle-Stop Politics is a one-of-a-kind book about politicians and train travel. It reflects the author’s love for a mostly bygone era, and it succeeds because of the many anecdotes he has collected from the politicians themselves and the journalists who covered them. White House reporter Merriman Smith once toppled from a train, straining to judge the size of a crowd for Truman. Columnist Mary McGrory claimed Nixon’s secretary Rose Mary Woods tried to pour a glass of Scotch down her back for failing to rise sufficiently high to greet her boss. ‘The Yellow Rose of Texas’ meant LBJ would soon start speaking, and when Robert F. Kennedy started quoting George Bernard Shaw, it meant he was wrapping up. Whistle-Stop Politics is a refreshing look at politics as it once was and a trip down memory lane, when trains stopped in small towns and time seemed to move more slowly.” —Eleanor Clift, political reporter at the Daily Beast and coauthor of Selecting a President

“Whistle-Stop Politics is a great collection of stories and anecdotes that show why presidents and candidates love to campaign by train. Edward Segal gives us plenty of reasons for the popularity of whistle-stop campaign trains with the public, politicians, and their staff. There is really no better or more effective way for candidates and office holders to see America and connect with voters. Whistle-stop trains are fun, but more importantly, they provide those who want to lead us with a view of the country they can’t get any other way. That’s another reason why it would be better if politicians campaigned more by train than by plane.” —Mike McCurry, press secretary to President Bill Clinton, 1995–1998

“Whistle-Stop Politics rolls through two centuries of campaigning from the back of trains. In his entertaining account, Edward Segal presents a wealth of information about the candidates who benefited from whistle-stop trips and the reporters who endured them.” —Donald A. Ritchie, historian emeritus of the US Senate and author of Electing FDR: The New Deal Campaign of 1932

“Edward Segal takes readers on an entertaining journey across nearly two centuries of American politics. His book is chock-full of illuminating anecdotes about candidates who rode the rails in search of votes and the journalists who followed along in pursuit of stories. Whistle-Stop Politics is a worthy addition to the bookshelf of anyone who loves presidential history.” —Bob Riel, author of Quest for the Presidency: The Storied and Surprising History of Presidential Campaigns in America

“Edward Segal’s Whistle-Stop Politics is a flavorful compendium of great anecdotes from an age when our campaigns were more fun—and our candidates more spontaneous and less packaged. An absolute pleasure to read.” —Richard North Patterson, New York Times bestselling author of Trial

“Edward Segal has pulled together a fascinating narrative that provides unique insights into one of the most overlooked aspects of railroad and political history: how and why candidates campaigned by train. Segal takes us on a deep dive into the whistle-stop campaigns of well-known train-loving politicians. His extensive research resulted in intriguing and unexpected anecdotes and stories that show how ingrained railroads are in our political and American cultures.” —Todd DeFeo, publisher and editor of Railfanning.org

“For all my adult life, I have had a love of trains, politics, and history. With Whistle-Stop Politics, Edward Segal has combined all three into a must-read for every politician, political pundit, and political science major in the country.” —Douglas MacKinnon, former White House and Pentagon official, national columnist, and bestselling author