I was not expecting to learn this much about, what I had never put much thought into, a part of history that is quite interesting. Very interesting part of United States of America history.

Filled with interesting historical tidbits about the the efforts to create a national road, this book is for American history buffs out there. Well written and researched, this book is easy to read and interesting.

First I never knew there was an effort to create a National Highway or how it was a vision of Washington’s. The history of the road itself is therefore fascinating to me especially as I read along and could envision where some of the road was laid down. The burgeoning population into the 1809s made such a road important for commerce and settlers seeking new land.

The National Road was the first federally funded road (1811-1830). It connected the Cumberland with the Ohio River. This book provides information on the political debates, the visions for the road, engineering feats and rivalries that all contributed to the building of this road.

Books like this are important. We need them to ensure our history is truthful, accurate and enduring. Great read.

Thank you NetGalley and Diversion Books for allowing me to read this ARC. .

I have met Brady Crytzer and listened to his talk on Revolution in the West. I have also read many of his books.

I admit I am conflicted with this book, and do not know fully what to say as my mind is scattered a lot. I have done research and live near the National Road. I am obviously excited to get an advanced reader copy.

I feel my biggest issue is with the first part with George Washington. I get where he was going but in certain respects I do not know if Forbes Expedition stories should be in here. I liked the beginnings however of George Washington of his western properties to get people interested in those topics. I myself had to google about the 1784 to make sure I am correct on some stuff as well.

The other two parts are the meat the story. I like the tibit on how the national road got a resurgence in importance during the Civil War. It is very hard to get people interested in topics that have little to not interest to them.

I will still buy the book as there are some interesting stuff in it and I still enjoy riding the national road.

I received an advance review copy through NetGalley and am providing this feedback voluntarily. The opinions are my own. I plan to share this review on Goodreads and Amazon once the book is officially published.

I’ve read several of Brady J. Crytzer’s books over the years, and every time he’s managed to pull me straight into whatever corner of early American history he’s exploring. Still, I’ll admit I hesitated when I picked up The National Road. A whole book about the construction and political wrangling behind a highway? I wasn’t convinced that a “biography of a road” could keep me engaged.

I should’ve known better. Crytzer once again proves how effective narrative history can be in the right hands. The National Road is not just about surveying routes or laying stone—it’s about the messy, ambitious, often chaotic process of a young nation trying to define itself. Crytzer brings together an unexpectedly lively cast: a young George Washington dreaming of linking the Potomac and Ohio Rivers; Albert Gallatin fighting tooth and nail to fund the project; Thomas Jefferson wrestling with his own contradictions; and Henry Clay pushing the Road forward through sheer political force.

What surprised me most is how much momentum the book has. Crytzer moves from frontier scouting trips to congressional showdowns to muddy mountain passes with the pacing of a good adventure story. The stakes feel real, not abstract—this was the infrastructure project that helped knit the early republic together and opened the interior to settlers, ideas, and commerce. And Crytzer never loses sight of the everyday people who traveled, built, and depended on the Road, which keeps the narrative grounded and human.

For librarians who serve readers of early American history, political history, or narrative nonfiction, this one is an easy recommendation. It’s accessible without being shallow, deeply researched without feeling dense, and surprisingly fun for a book about infrastructure. Crytzer turns what could have been a dry topic into a genuinely compelling story about ambition, nation-building, and the long, winding path west.

If you’re building displays or lists for America’s 250th anniversary, this will fit right in.

I received an advance review copy through NetGalley and am providing this feedback voluntarily. The opinions are my own. I plan to share this review on Goodreads and Amazon once the book is officially published.

“The National Road” is a treasure. Packed with facts about the first federally-funded highway in the United States, it reads like a novel rather than a nonfiction book.

I first learned about the National Road from my father, many years ago. He was born near the city of Richmond, Indiana, through which it passed. Fast forward many years, and I learned so much more about it, this time from Brady J Crytzer’s book. Three principal sections, highlighting George Washington, Albert Gallatin, and Henry Clay, outline the roles of each of these key players in the planning and construction of the National Road.

Crytzer also explains how the development of other forms of transportation led to the neglect and lack of completion of parts of the National Road. Trains were able to transport so much produce and other goods than the Conestoga wagons in use at the time. Automobiles began to replace horse-drawn coaches. The Post Office decided to deliver mail for free to rural patrons who lived on roads of suitable quality. A group called the “Good Roads Movement” played a crucial role in meeting these new requirements.

I recommend “The National Road” to those interested in early US history and transportation. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reader copy. This is my honest review.

Thank you Diversion Books and NetGalley for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I thought this was a fascinating and engaging look at the National Road and its lasting impact on American history. I lived in Maryland for over 30 years and often drove on the National Road. This book brought the history of the road to life for me—not just as a stretch of infrastructure, but as a living artery that shaped communities, commerce, and westward expansion.

This is an excellent read for anyone interested in American history, transportation, or the stories hidden in the landscapes we travel every day. I finished this feeling more informed of the role the National Road played in shaping the nation.