The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge
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.
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.
At Smarter.com, we aim to ensure we give you the most sound buying advice possible. With our 'Cumulative Product Rating' system, in order for a product to receive a rating score, it must have a minimum number of ratings to qualify.
This system is not intended to diminish the value of products with a low number of ratings and reviews, they're great, and hopefully very helpful, but if you want our advice, we want to make sure that the product you're thinking of buying has been rated and reviewed by enough shoppers like you to be a valuable indicator of product quality.
75 Reviews
| From: Amazon Posted: Aug 27, 2008 Type: User Review |
"Hey, I have this Bridge in Brooklyn that I want to sell to you!!"
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...
|
 5.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Jul 09, 2008 Type: User Review |
Great Bridge, great book
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....
|
 4.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Jun 25, 2008 Type: User Review |
Finally a McCullough Book I love
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...
|
5.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Jun 21, 2008 Type: User Review |
Great Read
The Great Bridge is a great read, revealing the details of the conception, planning and construction of the Bridge. Highly recommended.
|
5.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Jun 14, 2008 Type: User Review |
Thorough, Informative and a fascinating read
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...
|
5.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: May 14, 2008 Type: User Review |
Gift for a friend
I sent for this book for myself. While reading it I realized that a particular friend would really enjoy this book.
|
5.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: May 04, 2008 Type: User Review |
the great bridge
Very easy to read. You feel as if you are having a personnel discussion with David McCullough.
|
5.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Mar 10, 2008 Type: User Review |
Egypt It's Pyramids, Babylon It's Hanging Gardens, Brooklyn It's Bridge
David McCullough ranks second to none in his tireless historical research, his ability to ferret facts and details, and his skill at weaving both together in a skein with fine writing. The sheer density of the material on the printed page is...
|
5.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: May 24, 2007 Type: User Review |
Great Bridge and a great read
|
5.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: May 22, 2007 Type: User Review |
Another gem from America's greatest historian
Through his long line of books on some of America's greatest figures (Truman, John Adams, Theodore Roosevelt) and historical events (Johnstown Flood, Panama Canal, Brooklyn Bridge), David McCollough has earned the title of America's greatest...
|
5.00/5 |
Similar Products:
-
Oh, Yuck! The Encyclopedia of Everything Nasty
From: $4.87 at 6 Stores
-
The Fourth Turning
From: $6.85 at 4 Stores
-
![The World Is Flat [Updated and Expanded]: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century](http://images.smarter.com/product_image_s/1/01/2178901.jpg)
The World Is Flat [Updated and Expanded]: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century
From: $5.81 at 2 Stores
-
The Art of Innovation: Lessons in Creativity from IDEO, America's Leading Design Firm
From: $10.96 at 3 Stores
-
The Anarchist Cookbook
From: $14.77 at 4 Stores
-
Diffusion of Innovations, 5th Edition
From: $23.88 at 4 Stores
-
The Art of the Catapult: Build Greek Ballistae, Roman Onagers, English Trebuchets, and More Ancient Artillery
From: $6.19 at 3 Stores
-
The Age of Spiritual Machines: When Computers Exceed Human Intelligence
From: $6.22 at 4 Stores
-
The Ecology of Commerce
From: $5.95 at 6 Stores
-
The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge
From: $21.12 at 2 Stores
*Shipping costs are based on an estimate of the lowest shipping rate available within the contiguous US, excluding Alaska and Hawaii. Only merchants with this product in stock are listed (Merchants with this product back ordered have been removed from this list).
Do you see a pricing error? Please let us know by filling out a simple form: Click here