What was the underground railroad?

"No one knows where the term Underground Railroad came from--there were no trains or tracks, only "conductors" who helped escaping slaves to freedom. Including real stories about "passengers" on the "Railroad, " this book chronicles slaves' close calls with bounty hunters, exhausting struggles on the road, and what they sacrificed for freedom. With 80 black-and-white illustrations throughout and a sixteen-page black-and-white photo insert, the Underground Railroad comes alive!"--
"No one knows where the term "Underground Railroad" came from--there were no trains or tracks, only abolitionist "conductors" who helped bring an estimated 100,000 slaves to freedom through elaborate routes that included "stations, " safe houses where fugitives could rest before moving on, and a system of codes and signals used to identify friend from foe. Including real stories from the "Railroad, " What Was the Underground Railroad? will capture young readers' hearts: there are close calls with bounty hunters, exhausting struggles on the road, and unending sacrifices slaves made for freedom. With 80 black-and-white illustrations throughout and a sixteen-page black-and-white photo insert, the Underground Railroad comes alive!"--