The public is invited to attend a presentation by local author, Dennis P. McIlnay, who will discuss his new book, “The Horseshoe Curve – Sabotage and Subversion in the Railroad City”.
The presentation will be held tomorrow at 7 p.m. at the Tyrone History Museum at Rail Park.
Topics covered in McIlnay’s book include: the Nazi plot in World War II to destroy the Horseshoe Curve, the Mecca of American railroading; the FBI’s search of the homes of 225 Altoonans as “alien enemies” – suspected Nazi sympathizers – on July 1, 1942 in response to the Nazi sabotage plot and the human drama of founding the Pennsylvania Railroad and building the Horseshoe Curve, achievements that overcame personal and organizational battles threatening to destroy the railroad and stop the westward march of the United States.
This program encompasses a wide range of interests. Anyone interested in railroads, especially the PRR should plan to attend. But, the discussion may also be of interest to history buffs, especially those who enjoy studying World War II and the Nazis and to readers of spy novels and books about terrorism.
Everyone is welcome to attend this event, which is free.
Part-spy story and part-historical epic, The Horseshoe Curve: Sabotage and Subversion in the Railroad City blends information from 300 sources, including diaries, biographies, military records, histories, engineering studies, court briefs, and previously unknown FBI files acquired through the Freedom of Information Act.
The Horseshoe Curve: Sabotage and Subversion in the Railroad City costs $36.99 ($29.95 plus $4.95 for shipping and handling and $2.09 for PA sales tax). The book is available by check payable to Seven Oaks Press, 826 Walnut Street, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648 or by MasterCard and VISA at www.SevenOaksPress.com. Credit card orders can also be made toll-free at (866)695-5960. The book is also available at bookstores, gift shops and museum stores. For more information, phone Seven Oaks Press at (866)695-5960 or (814)472-3095 or email the publisher at Books@SevenOaksPress.com.
Dennis P. McIlnay, author of The Horseshoe Curve: Sabotage and Subversion in the Railroad City, is also author of Juniata, River of Sorrows (2002), the bestselling book in central Pennsylvania for several years and one of the bestselling regional books in the United States. McIlnay will be speaking to organizations about his new book, and to schedule such a talk, contact him at (814)-472-3095 or at Books@SevenOaksPress.com. McIlnay is professor of management at St. Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania, near Altoona.
