From Folly to Fortune

From Folly to Fortune: The firing of James Richardson Forman

James Richardson Forman was born in 1822 at Halifax, and returned to from Scotland in 1854 to oversee the construction of the Nova Scotia Railway, the first publicly-owned railway in the British Empire. But did he become a victim of Nova Scotia’s venal politics? He had been appointed to his post at the request of Reformer Joseph Howe, but was dismissed from office in 1858 by James W. Johnston, who became Conservative premier of the province in 1857. Two years after he left for a brilliant career in Scotland, it was discovered that most of the reasons for his dismissal were the fault of his second-in-command, who was also Johnston’s nephew!

Collusion and Corruption in Nova Scotia Railway Politics

From Folly to Fortune, a new release by Railfare-DC Books of Montreal and Toronto, examines the unfair treatment Forman received at the hands of his Nova Scotia countrymen, and asks the question if it could have been Forman, and not Sandford Fleming, who would later (in 1867 to 1876) have built Canada’s Intercolonial Railway from Nova Scotia to Quebec City, had he been allowed to stay on the project.

Written by former Nova Scotia journalist Jay Underwood, From Folly to Fortune is the second of his books published by Railfare-DC books, and the fourth of his works on Canadian railway history. It will be available in 2007.

Reserve a Copy for me...

Save! Put TEN PERCENT (10%) in your pocket.

Reserve your copy now. No obligation.

You’ll be advised when book is ready (late 2006 or early 2007). Your book will be shipped then.

From Folly to Fortune will make an attractive addition to your own library, or an excellent gift. Size 6 ” x 9 ”. Regular price for this magnificent volume is no more than $29.95. However, you can save 10% by entering your reservation now. That way, you’ll receive advance information telling you as soon as the book is ready. There’s absolutely no obligation to purchase a copy at that time, if you change your mind.

Just fill out the form below and submit!

Three dozen rare and fascinating photos.