Henry Meigg's early life gave little hint of his destiny. A wealthy New York merchant at the age of 30, he lost his fortune and went to San Francisco to recoup it. At first his gamble paid off; but in 1855 he fled to Chile without friends or money, and with a warrant out for his arrest. Thus began his incredible South American saga.

He convinced the Chilean government he could complete a floundering railroad project, and his native genius and enlightened labor practices produced an astounding success that had the other nations of South America clamoring for his services. Now wealthy and powerful, a beloved public benefactor and legendary hero, he faced his greatest challenge, the menacing Andes mountains of Peru. Working as hard as the lowliest laborer, he staked all he possessed to build his impossible rail line.

Today the Callao-Oroya railway remains as a lasting testament to the magnetic and flamboyant man who helped usher in a new era of Latin American progress.

From the book