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Summary: A brilliant history of the Panama Canal
Review: "The Path Between the Seas" is narrative history at its best - the story of perhaps the greatest engineering feat of modern times. Writing in the clear and lucid style for which he is noted, historian David McCullough traces the creation of the Panama Canal from its earliest inception by the French in 1870, to its completion 44 years later by the United States.McCullough skillfully weaves personalities and events together to create a powerful narrative replete with political intrigue, financial scandal, and triumph over tremendous adversity. The author first acquaints the reader with the leaders of the French attempt to build the canal - Ferdinand de Lesseps and his son, Charles, and Phillippe Bunau-Varilla, among others - and tells of the ultimate failure of their venture, and their disgrace due to financial scandal. McCullough then chronicles the ultimately successful American attempt to build the canal. Here is seen the political intrigue (the U.S. backed Panamanian revolution against Colombia, with the complicity of President Theodore Roosevelt, Secretary of State John Hay, and Bunau-Varilla); the successful war against yellow fever and malaria, led by American doctor William Gorgas; and the organizational and engineering genius of two American Chief Engineers - John Stevens and Colonel George Goethals - which led to the completion of the canal in 1914. "The Path Between the Seas" is more than just the story of how the Panama Canal was built; it is a well researched, historically accurate, and at the same time lively and highly entertaining account of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Highly recommended!
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Summary: Path Between The Sea
Review: 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............
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Summary: path between the seas
Review: I HAVE READ THE PATH BETWEEN THE SEAS AT LEAST 5 TIMES, AND I GAIN NEW INSIGHT INTO THE TREMENDOUS SCOPE OF THE CANAL AND ITS BUILDERS WITH EVERY READING.I SPENT TWO YEARS IN PANAMA COURTESY OF THE US ARMY AND HAVE PERSONALLY SEEN ALL THE LOCKS AND THE MANY HISTORIC SITES THAT THE BOOK VISITS AND I CAN TELL YOU IF YOU CANNOT VISIT PANAMA,BY ALL MEANS READ THIS. I ONLY WISH THAT IT HAD PREDATED MY TOUR-THE BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ.
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Summary: Marvelous Hidden History
Review: The tale of their engineering feats was amazing but hidden history like the conquering of the mosquito-borne Yellow Fever was even wilder. Great read.
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Summary: Fact with the pull of great fiction
Review: This amazing work is the best novel never written. David McCullough has found a way to make history alive with a passion that most other authors can only dream of. At once an adventure story, a mystery, a Shakespearean tragedy (complete with a deeply flawed hero), a surreal comedy, and triumph of grim determination the story of the struggle to unite the seas is uplifting in its clear presentation of true, though nearly unbelievable, facts. A short read despite its length. Will make you want to got to Panama.
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Summary: A must...
Review: If you're interested in politics, or public works, or -- even better -- the politics of public works, this is a must-read. This story of the engineers and politicians who created the canal is second only to Caro's "The Power Broker."
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Summary: Nobody Beats McCullough
Review: I cannot say enough good things about David McCullough. "The Path Between The Seas" is my third McCullough book ("Mornings on Horseback" and "Truman") and is a masterpiece. "The Great Bridge" is next on my list.
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Summary: Fantastic!
Review: This is the first book by David McCullough that I've read, and let me say I am impressed. I read this book while I was bedridden with an illness and McCullough's thorough research and excellent prose sucked me right into the middle of the struggles to complete this wonder of the world. And I liked it!
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Summary: Not enough research done.
Review: 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
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Summary: Remarkable achievement
Review: A Sprawling epic of the construction of the Panama Canal that encompasses 40 years and literally thousands of key participants. Only David McCullough can keep this much history tightly woven together, without losing the human face of those who made it possible. I have fresh respect for the Canal and the people who built it. Highly recommended.
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