Delaware Before the Railroads received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Dave Tabler.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
Delaware Before the Railroads published in November 2022.
What’s the book’s first line?
“How did Delaware get its name?”
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
Delaware before the railroads arrived in 1832 was hotly contested real estate. Circle back to 1610 for a ride that takes you through culture clashes, colonization, revolution and beyond.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
I came across a delightful 1938 Federal Writers Project guidebook to Delaware, which featured a slew of tours one could take in various parts of the state, highlighting famous landmarks. I was curious to know how many of those landmarks were still standing 85 years later. The answer is quite a few! I began retracing those tours, photographing the sites and recounting their stories, using my own research.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
If you’re a Delawarean, to rekindle a source of pride in your cultural identity. If you’re not, to understand the many contributions Delaware has made to the early development of American culture. The American log cabin, to take just one example, emerged from Delaware. Swedish settlers brought the design with them when they landed here in 1638.