1. How did the railroads deal with the Native American tribes whose land they crossed? Who was treated fairly? Who was treated unfairly?

2. What role did Chinese immigrants play in the building of America's railroads? What jobs did they do? Why did they come to America to build railroads?

3. Murphy mentions that some people were prejudiced against particular ethnic groups. Who were these groups? Why were people prejudiced against them? How did they deal with the prejudice?

4. Murphy describes the laying of track, including the amazing single-day record set by Chinese laborers. Describe the laying of a section of track in Stevenson's day. What were the different jobs people filled for the laying of the track? What was the step-by-step procedure for the laying of the track?

5. Murphy suggests that Stevenson contracted the disease that would eventually kill him during his...