The Path Between the Seas : The Creation of the Panama Canal, 1870-1914
Product Description
Winner of the National Book Award for history, The Path Between the Seas tells the story of the men and women who fought against all odds to fulfill the 400-year-old dream of constructing an aquatic passageway between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It is a story of astonishing engineering feats, tremendous medical accomplishments, political power plays, heroic successes, and tragic failures. McCullough expertly weaves the many strands of this momentous event into a captivating tale. Like his masterful, Pulitzer Prize-winning biography John Adams, David McCullough’s The Path Between the Seas has the sweep and vitality of a great novel. This audiobook is a must-listen for anyone interested in American history, international intrigue, and human drama.Amazon.com Review
On December 31, 1999, after nearly a century of rule, the United States officially ceded ownership of the Panama Canal to the nation of Panama. That nation did not exist when, in… More >>
The Path Between the Seas : The Creation of the Panama Canal, 1870-1914
I have read most of the book and so far I see there are things lacking in it that sould have been covered. The research did not go back far enough to cover the first ones who did a survey of the route. I have personal Knowlege of one man that spent 5 years doing a survey of the area and when completed he submitted the route to the President of the US and to Nepolan adn to some heads of state in Europe for approval. The Canal was out on hold until after the civil ward ue to he lack of funding. After teh war th President wanted to explore it again, there was a team sent to verify the orginal plans. All but some distance was verified and the route was changed so on tunnel would need to be dug as the orginal plans called for. There was documentry made on this man sometime ago. He was also noted in an Isle of Man publication on his exploits as an inventor, engineer, poet and explorer. He is William Kennish, his death came before the canal was started due to the malaria he caught while in panama on his trips. He dediacated the five years to find a path that would conect the to level seas together which he noted on his first trip. Mr Mc Cullough if you read this and want to contact me for varification of this please do at CKennish@aol.com
I have not yet read this book.I have heard from a good friend (also an In.Officer)John Warren who spent time in Panama with the Army,He say’s this book is just to die for and I believe him,he was there saw Panama at its best and just loved it.He also talks of Panama to this day on how breathtaking it was to see this beautiful place.So it is a book to read.If you were there you’d better buy it,its a plus…………
I’ve gone through more than half the book. I enjoy it thorougly.
I didn’t know that Americans felt so goddamn superior even 100 years ago. No wonder, unfortunately, that millions hate your guts and mine.
This is the most complete book on the canal I have ever read. However, McCullough spends far too much time with our friends the French. He whitewashes them and seems to even prefer them to the Americans who follow them in Panama and especially Teddy R. As a liberal McCullough launches into their usual apologetic critism of America, Americans, all things American, and of course our turn-of-the-century civil rights. Personally, I am so tired of their constant apologies and chest beating over America, from “wounded knee” onward! Yes, we are not perfect but I believe we are the best of all present countries. McCullough willingly forgives the French their rampant graft and constant lying. All-in-all, the book is rewarding but filled with David’s personal values, which frankly I found to be offensive.
Very factual but exteeeeeeeeemly boring and wordy. I read it before going through the cannal and it helped me greatly to enjoy the trip, but it could be 1/4 the size and still do the job.