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 period when Americans were convinced in their hearts that all things were possible. In the years around 1870, when the project was ...
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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 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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The book I ordered was even better than described and it arrived within 2 days!!! Thank you.
Malcolm A M
Feb 16, 2016
Crossing an ocean only a river wide.
David McCullough never misses, but The Great Bridge is special even for him.
It does not take a thousand miles to separate a people, but if the separation can be bridged, the effect is not instantaneous, but profound. Manhattan and Brooklyn will always be different, but with the Brooklyn Bridge an ocean was crossed and turned into no more than a river's separation. McCullough captures that perfectly.
Mal Misuraca
jjares
Mar 16, 2014
THE Story of the Brooklyn Bridge
No one can write a non-fiction story like David McCullough! At first, I thought he started a little too far back; however, the reasoning became obvious before long. This wasn?t just the story of the building of the Brooklyn Bridge; it was the story of an age ? the Age of Optimism.
It is a tale of the social climate that promoted and then threatened the completion of this 14 year masterpiece. A telling comment was offered early in the story; when engineers went over the Brooklyn Bridge (after many, many years) to determine what repairs were necessary; they all agreed that the bridge needed a fresh coat of paint! It is a tribute to the Roebling family that their creation was so sound that it needed little to continue its crucial place in New York-Brooklyn commerce and life into the next century.
This is an extensive history; at times I thought there was a bit too much detail. However, the author magically wove together the scoundrels with the heroes/heroine and the important time in which this bridge was undertaken to create a fascinating history. To me, it seemed to be the story of a miracle!
I?ve never had any interest in going to New York or Brooklyn; after reading this opus, I can hardly wait to go!
Larry M
Jan 3, 2013
The Great Bridge
Haven't started reading it yet. We did receive the book promptly and in good condition, as all books are received. We don't order from anyone else because of the quality and the conditions of your books.
Theoldprof
Sep 1, 2011
Great Bridge, Great Book
Places a truly monumental construction project clearly in the context of its time, and of the personalities--admirable and not--who were involved. Detailed. but never tedious. As always with David McCullough, beautifully written. Very helpful illustrations.
