The National Book Award-winning epic chronicle of the creation of the Panama Canal, a first-rate drama of the bold and brilliant engineering feat that was filled with both tragedy and triumph, told by master historian David McCullough. From the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Truman, here is the national bestselling epic chronicle of the creation of the Panama Canal. In The Path Between the … Path Between the Seas, acclaimed historian David McCullough delivers a first-rate drama of the sweeping human undertaking that led to the creation of this grand enterprise.
The Path Between the Seas tells the story of the men and women who fought against all odds to fulfill the 400-year-old dream of constructing an aquatic passageway between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It is a story of astonishing engineering feats, tremendous medical accomplishments, political power plays, heroic successes, and tragic failures. Applying his remarkable gift for writing lucid, lively exposition, McCullough weaves the many strands of the momentous event into a comprehensive and captivating tale.
Winner of the National Book Award for history, the Francis Parkman Prize, the Samuel Eliot Morison Award, and the Cornelius Ryan Award (for the best book of the year on international affairs), The Path Between the Seas is a must-read for anyone interested in American history, the history of technology, international intrigue, and human drama.more
I EAGERLY READ THIS BOOK MANY YEARS AGO WHEN FIRST PUBLISHED. I WASN’T DISAPPOINTED. IT IS CERTINLY THE BEST BOOK AVAILABLE FOR THE GENERAL INTEREST READER.
Could not put it down.
The story of how the Panama Canal came into being is well worth reading.
will read anything he writes
I read this book in Sept. 2012, prior to taking a cruise thru the Panama canal. It is an excellent book giving the history of the first proposed canal, during the California 1849 gold rush to the French start and failure and then to the US completion of the Canal.
Excellent description of one of humanity’s greatest engineering accomplishments. Cannot say it better than this.
This is the story of the creation of the Panama Canal. It tells the story of the men and women who worked together to bring a the dream of an aquatic passageway between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans a reality. The canal was built beteen 1870-1914 and the story of its triumphs and failures are all captured in McCullough’s book.
This was a good one. I didn’t know much about the Panama canal and the story behind it before reading this, so I loved learning about its development. It was a bit dry and I did find myself re-listening to parts of the book when I would drift off. But overall, the story held my interest and I am glad I read it.
One of the most fascinating historical episodes that has ever occurred–really.
The complexity of building the Panama Canal, the many diverse people, nations, influences, bugs–yes, mosquitoes played an important role–technology, challenge.
the result of which has certainly transformed shipping and commerce for the whole world. Unbelievable what it took to make this significant project happen. And McCullough does his usual thorough and engrossing narration of the history and times of this stunning and unbelievable human achievement.
Great explanation of underappreciated history
Thorough and interesting review of the building of the Panamá Canal. Amazing what was overcome.
It made my Caribbean cruise, with a day-trip thru the Panama Canal much more enjoyable and meaningful. This author’s books are always informative and enlightening.
McCullough is always dependable! A very interesting read about the building of the Panama Canal. Great preparation for a trip through the canal, but also for the armchair historian or traveler.
I enjoy history books and this was a great read about building the Panama Canal. It included all the problems such as medical, political, personal and geographic that were involved in the construction. It was a fascinating book
Tedious and detailed.
Amazing story of one of the world’s most impactful engineering projects.
Detailed historical accomplishment. Stayed with me afterwards. Exciting. Great description. Felt I was in the steamy difficult jungle.
My husband, who never reads for pleasure, read every word of this book before our trip through the Panama Canal. Made our trip much more meaningful!
Author weaves a tale that is almost unbelievable and easily assumed as a fiction novel. A great historian.
Good story of an important part of history
Everyone should once in their lives trans the Canal. And you simply MUST read this before you go!