Schweizer Bahnen

The history of Swiss railroads is much more than just an unwinding of technical progress and great engineering. It also culminates certain notions of regional independence, national greatness, and identity.Bärtschi's book is the first major account to look at the history of Swiss railroads primarily from the perspective of their sociopolitical, commercial, and economic significance. A nuanced portrait of unusual perspectives and interesting details, it makes clear that the railroads are much more than just a transportation system. It plays an importance for Switzerland's aspirations and self-image that can hardly be underestimated.