USA, 14, Feb - Author Norman Tyler’s Crossing the Continent: The Stories of Transportation Trailblazers is an ode to the enlightened minds who revolutionized transportation and shaped the United States into a modern nation.
Norman’s work spans over two centuries, bringing bold innovators whose determination, ambition, and ingenuity paved the way to life. Crossing the Continent not only narrates the tale of America’s western expansion but also introduces readers to the ideas that gave birth to many iconic projects.
From George Washington’s surveying efforts and vision for canal systems to the construction of the National Road, from the railroads of the Industrial Age to the birth of the interstate highway system, Tyler chronicles the individuals and technologies that bridged a continent. The book’s richly detailed chapters also reveal the personal stakes and societal impacts of trailblazers like Bertha Benz, Alice Ramsey, and Charles Lindbergh.
Crossing the Continent connects readers with a transformative era where ambition met necessity, and ingenuity overcame obstacles. Norman’s work serves as a case study for anyone who is a history enthusiast, transportation aficionado, or curious reader. It is not just a journey through time or an account of America’s rise to glory but a heartfelt letter to those who made the nation what it is today.
Norman Tyler’s Crossing the Continent: The Stories of Transportation Trailblazers is now available on Amazon.
About the Author
Norman R. Tyler is an award-winning Professor Emeritus of the Urban and Regional Planning Program at Eastern Michigan University (EMU). He was the director of the program from 1990 to 2009.
He has also taught at The University of Michigan and Penn State University. Tyler has a PhD from Michigan State University in Urban and Regional Planning (1998) and a Bachelors and Doctor of Architecture degrees from The University of Michigan (1970 and 1987).
Tyler is also a member of the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners. His book, Historic Preservation: An Introduction to Its History, Principles, and Practices (2000, 2009, 2018; Korean translation, 2014), serves as the textbook for many historic preservation courses.
Planning and Community Development: A Guide for the 21st Century (2011, Chinese translation, 2016) is a comprehensive introduction to issues of urban, rural, and regional planning. His latest book is Crossing the Continent: The Stories of Transportation Trailblazers (2024).
Tyler’s other published books include Greek Revival in America: Tracing its Architectural Roots to Ancient Athens (2014), The Peace Corps, Sierra Leone, and Me (2015), and 15 Generations of American Stories: Notable Descendants of Immigrant Job Tyler (2019).

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