Perhaps no single person helped civilize the Wild West more than Fred Harvey. An Englishman who immigrated to America in the 1850s, Harvey started a revolutionary business: he fed train passengers along the nation's largest railroad line -- the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe. Working from his home base in Leavenworth, Harvey brought culture, fine food and great service to the frontier. Author Stephen Fried (Freed) has written a book called: "Appetite for America: Fred Harvey and the Business of Civilizing the West - One Meal at a Time." KPR's J. Schafer spoke to Fried (Freed) about Harvey... and how he changed the nation.
That's author Stephen Fried (Freed), speaking with KPR's J. Schafer. Fried's book is called "Appetite for America: Fred Harvey and the Business of Civilizing the West - One Meal at a Time." In 2010, it was named one of the Top Ten Books of the Year by the Wall Street Journal. Stephen Fried (Freed) will be talking about his book at the Kansas City Public Library tonight (THUR) at 6 o'clock. Tomorrow (FRI), Fried will be speaking and attending various events in Leavenworth, Fred Harvey's hometown. For more information on Friday's activities, contact the Leavenworth County Historical Society (913-682-7759).