"There is no other American city quite like Duluth," Isaacs writes in the opening lines of this richly illustrated history of the Twin Ports. Chock full of photos, train schedules and ridership data, it documents the vital role that streetcars played in building the city.

The high point of the streetcar system, literally, was one of the grandest structures in Minnesota, the Incline rail line that took passengers from the waterfront to the top of the hillside, with its glorious view of Lake Superior and St. Louis Bay. The Seventh Avenue Incline went into service in 1891 and was shut down in 1939. Just imagine if it was still there -- it would be a thrill ride better than any at Valleyfair and a tourist draw like no other in the Midwest. Instead, all that's left is a bowling alley called the Incline Station at the bottom of the route.

Continue reading the review here.