I found this an interesting book at times, although I didn't need all of the numbers cited; there was more detail than was really necessary, in my opinion. There were many things I did not know about the post office and am glad to know, however. ( )

It began before the Revolution and was required to be proved for by the Constitution itself, the Post Office. How the Post Office Created America: A History by Winifred Gallagher covers the three-century plus long history of delivering the mail in America.

Throughout Gallagher’s text she brought forth evidence to support her argument yet save for helping foster the airline industry the Post Office appeared to have more of a symbiotic relationship with the country. Gallagher’s historical narrative begins early in the 1700s and ends approximately in the early 2010s, through this three-century period the ups and downs of the post in America were chronicles and how it interacted with the establishment of other forms of communication. The fascinating information that was brought forth were the crisis of the 1840s that changed the Post Office for the next century and the “golden age” from 1890-1920. Gallagher’s highlighting of various Postmasters General that headed the department that either innovated services or helped it in its time of need. The book also highlights the main efforts that some have attempted to privatize the post instead of being a public service and in the Afterward Gallagher explains the three scenarios of the now USPS could head in the future.

How the Post Office Created America is a look at the long history of the post in the United States and how it shaped and was shaped by the nation. Winifred Gallagher brought a lot of information to the text to support her argument, while I personally came away with a different conclusion based on the same it was an intriguing read. ( )

nonfiction; history of the post office/postal service in the US. ( )

After reading this book I clearly see that the creation of the US Postal Service really did lead the development of the USA. What a great way to review the history of the US. I have always loved getting letters and packages in the mail. I can now see how important it was for all folks in the rural and urban areas over time to stay connected via the mail. It was their lifeblood many times. I see the post office evolving now days and we can only hope that the changes will be for the benefit of our country overall! ( )

A look at the history of the Post Office from its beginning to the present (2016). The history of the Post Office seems to always be very precarious. It never seems to be able to get the funding it needs, the cost of services do not cover the cost, Congress keeps interfering with it, and the Post Office also caused many of its problems. ( )