|
The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge | 
| Author: David Mccullough
Category: Book
List Price: $18.00
Buy New: $12.98
You Save: $5.02 (28%)
New (9) Used (15) from $6.95
Avg. Customer Rating:  75 reviews
Sales Rank: 45781
Format: Bargain Price
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 562
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.8
Dimensions (in): 9 x 6 x 1.6
ASIN: B000B86FMS
Publication Date: January 12, 1983
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
|
| Also Available In:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com Review
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
This monumental book 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 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.
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 70 more reviews...
 "Hey, I have this Bridge in Brooklyn that I want to sell to you!!" August 27, 2008
The engineer of the Brooklyn Bridge was John A. Roebling. Unfortunately he never saw the results of his genius. It was his Son Washington Roebling along with his wife Emily who would bring the bridge to fruition over the East River. It was the major connect between Manhattan and the borough of Brooklyn, Long Island. It doesn't sound like much but this bridge developed the great metropolis of New York City into the center of the Western World in the late 19th Century and onto the 20th Century. The span took over 13 years to complete. The most difficult aspect of its building was the building of the foundation of the bridge. The underground work in the formation of the Caissons proved to be difficult and in many cases fatal to the workers. Eventually these problems were resolved and the bridge was completed under the auspices of the directions of Emily Roebling. Washington Roebling by this time was only the symbolic leader of this enormous project.
David McCullough has written a masterpiece. I believe it to be one of the major historical works of the 20th Century. He wrote this book as he lived and breathed in Brooklyn, NY. Five Stars and as you well know, No Problem!!!!
 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!
|
|
|
Powered by Associate-O-Matic
| |
