A monumental tale of American ambition, told by Pulitzer Prize-winning author and master historian David McCullough. This gripping saga of the creation of the Brooklyn Bridge, one of the country's boldest engineering achievements, reveals not only the politics and personalities behind "America's Eiffel Tower," but charts New York's ascent as a thriving metropolis. Around 1870, during the Age of Optimism--a time when Americans believed anything was possible--the ambitious idea of constructing an unprecedented bridge across ...
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A monumental tale of American ambition, told by Pulitzer Prize-winning author and master historian David McCullough. This gripping saga of the creation of the Brooklyn Bridge, one of the country's boldest engineering achievements, reveals not only the politics and personalities behind "America's Eiffel Tower," but charts New York's ascent as a thriving metropolis. Around 1870, during the Age of Optimism--a time when Americans believed anything was possible--the ambitious idea of constructing an unprecedented bridge across the East River to connect Manhattan and Brooklyn took root. This monumental project demanded a vision and determination on par with the efforts that built the great cathedrals of history. Spearheaded by the Roebling family, the project faced staggering odds throughout its fourteen years of construction. Bodies were crushed, lives were lost, political empires fell, and waves of public emotion constantly threatened its progress. The Roeblings, too, were not immune to personal tragedies. Yet, Emily Roebling rose above these challenges to become the pivotal force behind the bridge's completion, shattering all societal expectations of her era. This is not just the story of an engineering miracle; it is a sweeping narrative of the social climate of the time and the heroes and rascals who either built or exploited this groundbreaking enterprise.
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Add this copy of The Great Bridge to cart. $15.71, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 1983 by Simon & Schuster.
The book I ordered was even better than described and it arrived within 2 days!!! Thank you.
Malcolm A M
Feb 16, 2016
Crossing an ocean only a river wide.
David McCullough never misses, but The Great Bridge is special even for him.
It does not take a thousand miles to separate a people, but if the separation can be bridged, the effect is not instantaneous, but profound. Manhattan and Brooklyn will always be different, but with the Brooklyn Bridge an ocean was crossed and turned into no more than a river's separation. McCullough captures that perfectly.
Mal Misuraca
jjares
Mar 16, 2014
THE Story of the Brooklyn Bridge
No one can write a non-fiction story like David McCullough! At first, I thought he started a little too far back; however, the reasoning became obvious before long. This wasn?t just the story of the building of the Brooklyn Bridge; it was the story of an age ? the Age of Optimism.
It is a tale of the social climate that promoted and then threatened the completion of this 14 year masterpiece. A telling comment was offered early in the story; when engineers went over the Brooklyn Bridge (after many, many years) to determine what repairs were necessary; they all agreed that the bridge needed a fresh coat of paint! It is a tribute to the Roebling family that their creation was so sound that it needed little to continue its crucial place in New York-Brooklyn commerce and life into the next century.
This is an extensive history; at times I thought there was a bit too much detail. However, the author magically wove together the scoundrels with the heroes/heroine and the important time in which this bridge was undertaken to create a fascinating history. To me, it seemed to be the story of a miracle!
I?ve never had any interest in going to New York or Brooklyn; after reading this opus, I can hardly wait to go!
Larry M
Jan 3, 2013
The Great Bridge
Haven't started reading it yet. We did receive the book promptly and in good condition, as all books are received. We don't order from anyone else because of the quality and the conditions of your books.
Theoldprof
Sep 1, 2011
Great Bridge, Great Book
Places a truly monumental construction project clearly in the context of its time, and of the personalities--admirable and not--who were involved. Detailed. but never tedious. As always with David McCullough, beautifully written. Very helpful illustrations.
