The dramatic and enthralling story of the building of the Brooklyn Bridge, the world’s longest suspension bridge at the time, a tale of greed, corruption, and obstruction but also of optimism, heroism, and determination, told by master historian David McCullough. This monumental book is the enthralling story of one of the greatest events in our nation’s history, during the Age of Optimism–a … Optimism–a period when Americans were convinced in their hearts that all things were possible.
In the years around 1870, when the project was first undertaken, the concept of building an unprecedented bridge to span the East River between the great cities of Manhattan and Brooklyn required a vision and determination comparable to that which went into the building of the great cathedrals. Throughout the fourteen years of its construction, the odds against the successful completion of the bridge seemed staggering. Bodies were crushed and broken, lives lost, political empires fell, and surges of public emotion constantly threatened the project. But this is not merely the saga of an engineering miracle; it is a sweeping narrative of the social climate of the time and of the heroes and rascals who had a hand in either constructing or exploiting the surpassing enterprise.
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As is typical of David M., his writing is extremely well researched, but his books read like novels. He’s one of my favorite writers, and i recommend him highly.
David McCulllough writes beautiful book I learn so much from, while I am also learning.
History at its best!
Who would have imagined that reading a book about a construction project would be worthwhile? Well, this one sure is different. Building the Brooklyn Bridge in New York over a hundred years ago was an astounding feat, made even more incredible because of the human stories involved. Despite its size, I could barely put the book down. It was a …
Outstanding, historical well written account of building this iconic structure.
Never knew about the Rublings and how strange they were!
Great book!
Very technical and needed more pictures for a better understanding. But it was a very interesting read.
Quite the challenge to build and to overcome the naysayers.
Reading a book like this fills me with awe for the feats of engineering and and, frankly, back-breaking labor, that occurred regularly and as a matter of course for much of this country’s history. Such mammoth undertakings are the stuff of David McCullough – from the Panama Canal, which, yes, I know, is not in this country, but was very much …
Difficult to describe why this book is so good; but it is.
It’s a great work and a great read.
Even if you know NOTHING about engineering or its principals, this book is simply exciting as you read about the problems and progress. John Roebling was brilliant and comes to life in these pages.