This volume seeks to paint an objective picture of the company that was dubbed "the Octopus" by Frank Norris and, in my opinion, succeeds admirably in this objective.
Professor Orsi paints a picture of an enlightened, almost paternal, company (except during the Harriman years) that sought to improve the lot of the settlers to whom it sold land plots; by providing irrigation schemes that were often gifted to their communities once the S.P. had established them; that recognised pre-existing landholders on land that formed part of the company's grant from Federal govennment; that helped to promote the business of the states in which it operated even when state legislatures did not promote themselves, often at no cost to those legislatures; that developed agriculture in its areas of operation.
It dedicates a chapter to the Mussel Slough Incident, placing the blame at the feet of the, illegal, settlers and stating that the company offered repeatedly to settle the matter peacefully with them.
What it does NOT do is cover the operations or equipment of the company; for that Beebe or Signor are better sources.
Overall, this book is a superb study of a corporate entity that has long since been swallowed up by what I regard as a predator. Read it in conjuction with Don.L. Hofsommer's book on the same railroad.

A hefty tome that takes a new and interesting look at the Southern Pacific railroad. It turns out, they may not be the villians that they've been portrayed to be, after all. ( )