This book provided a fascinating behind the scenes look at the business and financial side of Northeastern railroads, particularly the PC and then Conrail, and the process by which Conrail, and 3 decades later, its breakup, occured. Have the job I desired when I first worked for the rails (yet never did get) the author seemed to be a the right place at the right time throughout his career, to be instrumental in the changes that occured in the Northeast, and in reality, throughout the rail industry in the 80s setting the stage for the rails revival. The author truely helped shape todays railroads. Dont let the business side of this book scare you away, this is a must read for railfans, historians, government administrators, business students, and those who are just fascinated by trains.