Whistle-Stop Politics by Edward Segal
Discover the entertaining story of how campaigning by train shaped American politics, elections, journalism, and culture in Whistle-Stop Politics.
Memories of the pivotal role campaign trains played in American elections fade with the passing of each generation. Also forgotten are the stories documented by the reporters who traveled with hundreds of whistle-stopping politicians including Franklin Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, and Ronald Reagan.
The trains were the backdrop of political drama, intrigue, humor, and triumph for more than 185 years. Campaign trains were an American invention that enabled politicians to connect with as many voters as possible in the country’s largest cities and smallest towns.
Filled with engaging anecdotes and striking images, this book is an exciting journey back into America’s political past, opening new windows into the personalities and political campaigns that shaped our history.
About the author:
Edward Segal has served as a campaign manager, press secretary, and aide to Democratic and Republican presidential and congressional candidates. He has written about the history of the trains for the Washington Post, Roll Call, Washington Journalism Review, and the American Political Items Collectors.
Segal is the bestselling author of the award-winning book Crisis Ahead: 101 Ways to Prepare for and Bounce Back from Disasters, Scandals, and Other Emergencies (Nicholas Brealey Publishing, 2020), which was translated into Chinese.
He’s a Leadership Strategy Senior Contributor for Forbes.com, where millions of people have read his stories; a freelance journalist whose articles have appeared in the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and other major publications; and host of the Crisis Ahead and Crisis Management Minute podcasts.
Come hear the author talk about the book as he brings these stories to life and buy a signed copy after the presentation!
Thursday, January 29, 2026
In the beautiful, historic Williams Hall located at 729 Fleming St, Key West, FL
Doors open at 5:00pm
Presentation begins at 5:30pm. Book signing after the event.
All seating is general admission.
Tickets: Members ($25) Non-Members ($35)
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The Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 that serves to preserve the Truman Little White House as Florida’s only presidential museum, sharing the history of the American Presidency and supporting civic engagement, education and the historic and cultural influences of the Truman era.