The Path Between the Seas

ByDavid McCullough

Release Date: 2001-10-27
Genre: History

Score: 4.5

4.5

From 396 Ratings

Description

The National Book Award–winning epic chronicle of the creation of the Panama Canal, a first-rate drama of the bold and brilliant engineering feat that transformed global trade routes and shaped modern American history, as told by Pulitzer Prize–winning author and master historian David McCullough.

A national bestseller and testament to human determination, The Path Between the Seas tells the stories of the men and women who fought against all odds to fulfill the 400-year-old dream of constructing a maritime passageway between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. McCullough masterfully recounts astonishing engineering and medical accomplishments, political power plays, heroic successes, and tragic failures. Applying his remarkable gift for writing lucid, lively exposition, McCullough weaves the many strands of the momentous event into a comprehensive and captivating tale.

Winner of the National Book Award for history, the Francis Parkman Prize, the Samuel Eliot Morison Award, and the Cornelius Ryan Award (for the best book of the year on international affairs), The Path Between the Seas is a must-read for anyone interested in American history, technological innovation, international intrigue, and human drama.

Reviews

The Path Between the Seas
3
By SteveC0613
I found this book to be an exhaustive history of the Panama Canal and reading it was exhausting. The depth of research and analysis of the multitude of issues and personalities is impressive. Where I find fault with this book is the fact that the author refers to many important geological details throughout the book, and provides only two very small, postage stamp sized maps. One was virtually impossible to read. The photographs provided are of very poor quality and again too small to be useful. An online search brought up a number of excellent photographs taken during construction of the canal. Mr. McCullough also goes into great detail in describing a variety of mechanical structures, such as the machines used for digging the canal, pouring the concrete and the structure of the locks but provides no photos or diagrams. I found this like reading the mechanical description of an engine or transmission with no diagrams or photos to enhance the readers understanding.
Wow
5
By gluedtothebook
Excellent writing with great detail and knowledge
Greta history
5
By MileHigh buyer
Most people know that the USA built the Panama Canal. But how many know of the work that was done prior to the US taking over the project.
Lots of detail of the many different engineering, medical, organizational and geological hurdles that were over come - just to get started.
A great history of a major human endeavor that had such a major impact on society. In many ways, a triumph that even stands above the Apollo moon missions.
Denver and the year
4
By Boulder Reader
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A rave review
5
By Crzyhrt
Hits all the right notes as a masterpiece. Everything you ever wanted to know about the canal and more. Could only be better if it was read by the author and enjoyed as a recording.
Interesting book
5
By tookieman14
This was an interesting book, thorough with lots of detail written in a manner that made it hard to put down. I knew this story in pieces, but one comprehensive look at how the canal was built made it all come together.
Ok
3
By leelb26
Interesting but it could have been shortened. Too many details and names that deviate from the flow of the story. Not his best work, for sure.