Last Subway: The Long Wait for the Next Train in New York City by Philip Mark Plotch is the long history of the 2nd Avenue line along the eastern side of Manhattan. It is also a commentary on public works projects and the unnecessary hurdles they often face.

As a history it is well written and well researched. Obstacles, both physical and political (I lump financial in with political), are given for the on again off again project and, finally, the completion of the first phase and contextualized within the period they occurred. Strictly as a history I might have given a slightly lower rating, though still a very good one.

But it is what the book says about such projects everywhere that really put the book over the top for me. Plotch doesn't try to extrapolate from this project to other projects but the basic problems are the same for anything other than a limited time and investment infrastructure upgrade. Professionals are given little to no say over almost all aspects of any such project. Rather than a committee or public vote to determine a need then professionals to determine the best and most cost efficient way to accomplish that end, politicians hang these projects in front of voters to get votes. Then, if it can't be accomplished cheaply and quickly, they don't follow through because another election cycle will begin and they have reelection as their number one priority, not citizen welfare and public safety. And the cycle goes on and on.

This is not a partisan issue nor is it limited to large urban centers. It runs the gamut from public transit systems to highways and bridges, even many environmental projects that would require any kind of construction and/or temporary inconvenience to achieve a long term good. There needs to be some kind of process that separates politicians from anything except the initial decision-making phase about the need for a project. Once a need is established, it needs to be considered as something that will be funded, not back-burnered because it will gain someone a few votes. Some things are just too important to a functioning society to leave it open to the whims of politicians constantly thinking ahead to the next election.

I recommend this for history buffs, especially those interested in urban centers and/or New York City specifically. I also think it will be a valuable read for those interested in why so many infrastructure projects either never get off the ground or are abandoned well before completion.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley. ( )