The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge

Additional The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge Information

FROM THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF JOHN ADAMS

First published in 1972, The Great Bridge is the classic account of one of the greatest engineering feats of all time -- the building of the Brooklyn Bridge.

This monumental audiobook which presents extended unabridged passages from the book brings back a heroic vision of the America we once had. It is the enthralling story of one of the greatest events during the Age of Optimism -- a period when Americans were convinced that all great things were possible.

In the years around 1870, the concept of building a great bridge to span the East River between the 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 the bridge's construction, the odds against its successful completion seemed staggering. Bodies were crushed and broken, lives were 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 heroes and rascals who had a hand in either constructing or obstructing this great enterprise.

What Customers Say About The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge:

I could barely put this book down. Another amazing story by McCullough, about the only negative thing I can say is that after going into great length about sinking the first cassion and the science related, the rest of the book seems to give building the bridge short shrift, and focusing mostly on the politics. Oh, and for some odd reason he mis-spells the Newport Casino in Newport, Rhode Island as "Cassino", something it was never called (I know, I worked at the building for three years as an archivist. Nit picking to be sure).Please read this book if you are at all interested in American history, you won't be let down.

This book reveals much more than the building of the Brooklyn Bridge. It describes the life of newyorkers in the 1880's and the way politic worked at that time. In fact we come to learn that not much has changed. As we experienced with the last financial crisis, when given the opportunity, our leaders will often use their power to grab part of public wealth for their own benefit.

Not only the story of the building of the bridge, but also a picture of the political and financial times in the 1870s - 80s - New York and Brooklyn. Truly an epic book, a fantastic research job. Although in great detail, McCullough's writing style makes this book an easy read. This at a time when the tower of the great bridge was taller by far than the tallest building in New York City. Highly recommended.

I learned more about structural engineering (and caissons). I found it at times, to be tedious reading, but still a fascinating account of the bridge and more importantly the Roebling family who built it. then I'll ever care to know again. A structural engineer would love this book. Washington Roebling's life was like that of a Greek tragedy. I wish the Kindle version of this books and pictures and diagrams, but it did not, making me now want to get a hard copy of this book.

While reading the 'Bridge'. This book is very technical in some respects, but putting that aside it's story telling is superb. David is my favorite author and another book 'Truman' of his.is the best book about gosh-darn gutsy America I have ever read. I went on line and Google Earthed it and toured the bridge on line. It is a magnificent structure finished in 1883 and still standing.