| The Great Bridge |  | Author: David Mccullough
Publisher: Avon
Category: Book
List Price: $8.95
Buy Used: $7.95
You Save: $1.00 (11%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  74 reviews
Sales Rank: 1232283
Media: Paperback
ISBN: 0380497182
EAN: 9780380497188
ASIN: 0380497182
Publication Date: April 1980
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: pages are clean, white, tightly bound, oversized paperback, ex library copy, square cornered cover has only a few dents, 636 pages
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Amazon.com
In the 19th century, the Brooklyn Bridge was viewed as the greatest engineering feat of mankind. The Roeblings--father and son--toiled for decades, fighting competitors, corrupt politicians, and the laws of nature to fabricate a bridge which, after 100 years, still provides one of the major avenues of access to one of the world's busiest cities--as compared to many bridges built at the same time which collapsed within decades or even years. It is refreshing to read such a magnificent story of real architecture and engineering in an era where these words refer to tiny bits and bytes that inspire awe only in their abstract consequences, and not in their tangible physical magnificence.
Product Description
First published in 1972, The Great Bridge is the classic account of one of the greatest engineering feats of all time. Winning acclaim for its comprehensive look at the building of the Brooklyn Bridge, this book helped cement David McCullough's reputation as America's preeminent social historian. Now, The Great Bridge is reissued as a Simon & Schuster Classic Edition with a new introduction by the author.This monumental book brings back for American readers the heroic vision of the America we once had. It is the enthralling story of one of the greatest events in our nation's history during the Age of Optimism -- a period when Americans were convinced in their hearts that all great things were possible. In the years around 1870, when the project was first undertaken, the concept of building a great 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 pyramids. 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 obstructing the great enterprise. Amid the flood of praise for the book when it was originally published, Newsday said succinctly "This is the definitive book on the event. Do not wait for a better try: there won't be any."
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| Customer Reviews: Read 69 more reviews...
 Great Bridge, great book July 9, 2008
I drive over it every day to work and know that it's the most beautiful bridge in the world, but I had no idea of the labor, engineering innovation, political dealmaking, and family drama involved in building it until I read this terrific book. McCullough is at his best describing the Roeblings, the father and son engineering team who pioneered the use of steel cable in suspension bridges, and stewarded the Brooklyn Bridge through to completion. He also gives a vivid picture of the harrowing work done by the "sandhogs" who had to dig the underwater foundation of the bridge's towers. But McCullough, who knows and writes about American history as well as anyone alive, is surprisingly slightly less good when it comes to discussing the political back and forth between the Tweed ring and the New York state Republicans who originally sponsored the project. On the whole though, this is a great read. I highly recommend it.
 Finally a McCullough Book I love June 25, 2008
Why is the most effective of all of McCullough's books? He leaves out all those boring and hard to follow quotes and TELLS the story that he is so effective at doing. Yes, it still has more facts than most people would desire, but this being my third book about The Bridge, I can honestly say, I could have saved a lot of time had I just read this one.
McCullough's approach is a little different than most when telling this compelling story. He focuses on the people, backroom deals and the political climate of the times that were almost as difficult as the struggle and torture on those getting the Bridge built.
Many facts about Brooklyn are revealed that I learned about from this book.
This my fourth McCullough book, and in my opinion, by far his best and truly the only one I can recommend without criticism. I loved it.
Great Read June 21, 2008
The Great Bridge is a great read, revealing the details of the conception, planning and construction of the Bridge. Highly recommended.
Thorough, Informative and a fascinating read June 14, 2008
McCullough's history of the building of the Brooklyn Bridge's subtitle "The Epic Story" is right on when describing the well researched history of the bridge. The story notes both the historic technology challenge the bridge represented in the early 1800's, as well as the human story of an entire family, the Roeblings' committed to its completion. Well worth the read!
Gift for a friend May 14, 2008
I sent for this book for myself. While reading it I realized that a particular friend would really enjoy this book.
I ordered it and he had it in his house in perfect condition and very quickly.
The book is a real testament to the ingenuity and determination of men.
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