Reading rank 225
Last Train to Paradise: Henry Flagler and the Spectacular Rise and Fall of the Railroad That Crossed an Ocean
, subject: Henry Flagler and the Overseas Railroad
The Overseas Railroad turns capital and engineering ambition into a line across the sea, then meets the limits of weather and economics.
67
Coverage Score
3
Scored evidence
About the book
Standiford tells how Flagler extended the Florida East Coast Railway across open water to Key West, then follows the engineering, capital, labor, storms, and 1935 hurricane that defined its rise and fall.
Why read it
Best if you want a source-grounded account of ambition, operating choices, and their consequences
Key themes
- Ambition
- Operating choices
- Costs and limits
Evidence and original sources
This record is supported by 12 public evidence rows linked to original Founders episodes.
- Henry Flagler (Rockefeller's partner) — David introduces Last Train to Paradise as the book he's discussing in this episode, naming Les Standiford as author.
- John D. Rockefeller (Titan) — David references studying Flagler's biography on the prior week's episode without naming the title.
- Jacob Fugger (The Richest Man Who Ever Lived) — David references a prior Founders episode about Henry Flagler while discussing Pope Leo's rule changes.
Unofficial listener-built companion, not affiliated with or endorsed by David Senra or Founders Podcast.