Great Bridge : The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge by David McCullough (1983, Trade Paperback)

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About this product

Product Identifiers

PublisherSimon & Schuster
ISBN-10067145711X
ISBN-139780671457112
eBay Product ID (ePID)17038702577

Product Key Features

Book TitleGreat Bridge : the Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge
Number of Pages562 Pages
LanguageEnglish
TopicUnited States / State & Local / Middle Atlantic (DC, De, Md, NJ, NY, Pa), United States / 19th Century, Civil / Bridges
Publication Year1983
FeaturesReprint
IllustratorYes
GenreTechnology & Engineering, History
AuthorDavid Mccullough
FormatTrade Paperback

Dimensions

Item Height1.5 in
Item Weight27.4 Oz
Item Length9.2 in
Item Width6.1 in

Additional Product Features

Intended AudienceTrade
LCCN82-010352
TitleLeadingThe
Dewey Edition23
Reviews"After reading David McCullough's account, you will never look at the old bridge in quite the same way again." --Christopher Lehmann-Haupt, The New York Times, The New York TimesAfter reading David McCullough's account, you will never look at the old bridge in quite the same way again., After reading David McCullough's account, you will never look at the old bridge in quite the same way again. -Christopher Lehmann-Haupt, The New York Times, Christopher Lehmann-HauptThe New York TimesAfter reading David McCullough's account, you will never look at the old bridge in quite the same way again., Los Angeles TimesThe Great Bridgeis a book so compelling and complete as to be a literary monument...McCullough has written that sort of work which brings us to the human center of the past., " The Great Bridge is a great book. . . . This is the definitive book on the event. Do not wait for a better try: there won't be any." -- Norman Rosten, Newsday, "David McCullough has taken a dramatic and colorful episode out of the American past and described it in such a way that he sheds fresh light on a whole era in American history." -Bruce Catton, " The Great Bridge is a book so compelling and complete as to be a literary monument. . . . McCullough has written that sort of work which brings us to the human center of the past." -Los Angeles Times, "The impact of the soaring structure upon the American imagination and American life has now been measured with sagacity and style by David McCullough. . . . The Great Bridge is a book so compelling and complete as to be a literary monument, one of the best books I have read in years. McCullough has written that sort of work which brings us to the human center of the past." -Robert Kirsch, Los Angeles Times, "After reading David McCullough's account, you will never look at the old bridge in quite the same way again." -Christopher Lehman-Haupt, The New York Times, NewsdayThe Great Bridgeis a great book....Get your hands onThe Great Bridge....This is the definitive book on the event. Do not wait for a better try: there won't be any., Los Angeles Times The Great Bridge is a book so compelling and complete as to be a literary monument...McCullough has written that sort of work which brings us to the human center of the past., " The Great Bridge is a book so compelling and complete as to be a literary monument. . . . McCullough has written that sort of work which brings us to the human center of the past." --Los Angeles Times, " The Great Bridge is a great book. . . . This is the definitive book on the event. Do not wait for a better try: there won't be any." - Norman Rosten, Newsday, " The Great Bridge is a great book. . . . What David McCullough has written is a stupendous narrative about the building of the Brooklyn Bridge, with a cast of thousands (give or take 100), whose major characters come alive on the page as authentically, as creatively, as would their fictional counterparts if one had the imagination to dream up such a yarn. Once again, truth is not only stranger than fiction but a hell of a lot more entertaining. Get your hands on The Great Bridge . . . . This is the definitive book on the event. Do not wait for a better try: there won't be any." -Norman Rosten, Newsday, "After reading David McCullough's account, you will never look at the old bridge in quite the same way again." -Christopher Lehmann-Haupt, The New York Times
Dewey Decimal624.2/3097471
Edition DescriptionReprint
Table Of ContentContents AUTHOR'S NOTE PART ONE 1. The Plan 2. Man of Iron 3. The Genuine Language of America 4. Father and Son 5. Brooklyn 6. The Proper Person to See 7. The Chief Engineer PART TWO 8. All According to Plan 9. Down in the Caisson PICTURE SECTION 10. Fire 11. The Past Catches Up 12. How Natural, Right, and Proper 13. The Mysterious Disorder 14. The Heroic Mode PART THREE 15. At the Halfway Mark 16. Spirits of '76 17. A Perfect Pandemonium 18. Number 8, Birmingham Gauge 19. The Gigantic Spinning Machine PICTURE SECTION 20. Wire Fraud 21. Emily 22. The Man in the Window 23. And Yet the Bridge Is Beautiful 24. The People's Day EPILOGUE APPENDIX NOTES PICTURE CREDITS BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX
SynopsisThis monumental book is the enthralling story of one of the greatest events in our nation's history, during the Age of Optimism -- a period when Americans were convinced in their hearts that all things were possible.In the years around 1870, when the project was first undertaken, the concept of building an unprecedented bridge to span the East River between the great cities of Manhattan and Brooklyn required a vision and determination comparable to that which went into the building of the great cathedrals. Throughout the fourteen years of its construction, the odds against the successful completion of the bridge seemed staggering. Bodies were crushed and broken, lives 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 social climate of the time and of the heroes and rascals who had a hand in either constructing or exploiting the surpassing enterprise., The dramatic and enthralling story of the building of the Brooklyn Bridge, the world's longest suspension bridge at the time, a tale of greed, corruption, and obstruction but also of optimism, heroism, and determination, told by master historian David McCullough.This monumental book is the enthralling story of one of the greatest events in our nation's history, during the Age of Optimism--a period when Americans were convinced in their hearts that all things were possible. In the years around 1870, when the project was first undertaken, the concept of building an unprecedented bridge to span the East River between the great cities of Manhattan and Brooklyn required a vision and determination comparable to that which went into the building of the great cathedrals. Throughout the fourteen years of its construction, the odds against the successful completion of the bridge seemed staggering. Bodies were crushed and broken, lives 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 social climate of the time and of the heroes and rascals who had a hand in either constructing or exploiting the surpassing enterprise., The dramatic and enthralling story of the building of the Brooklyn Bridge, the world's longest suspension bridge at the time, a tale of greed, corruption, and obstruction but also of optimism, heroism, and determination, told by master historian David McCullough. This monumental book is the enthralling story of one of the greatest events in our nation's history, during the Age of Optimism--a period when Americans were convinced in their hearts that all things were possible. In the years around 1870, when the project was first undertaken, the concept of building an unprecedented bridge to span the East River between the great cities of Manhattan and Brooklyn required a vision and determination comparable to that which went into the building of the great cathedrals. Throughout the fourteen years of its construction, the odds against the successful completion of the bridge seemed staggering. Bodies were crushed and broken, lives 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 social climate of the time and of the heroes and rascals who had a hand in either constructing or exploiting the surpassing enterprise.
LC Classification NumberTG25.N53M32 1982

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  • Hard to Put Down

    This a wonderful story by David McCullough about a great bridge. McCullough has a knack for unearthing the curious minutia and weaving it together to make a compelling read. I had read Truman (another great book) wanted to read another of his tomes. The Great Bridge is a delightful tale and I'm already starting to get sad about being done with it. Hard to put down.

    Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned

  • Great bridge, great book

    We take bridges for granted, even old bridges. But they were a radical and dangerous pursuit back in their day, especially ones like the Brooklyn Bridge, which had both natural and political obstacles to surmount. David McCulloch covers it all in a remarkably brilliant way, from how the designers had to fight TWO corrupt city halls, how builders had to live underwater in makeshift bathyspheres to plant the bridges bases, and how lives and reputations were lost. Bought this book to give to my son, who now lives in Brooklyn, on the street named after the Brooklyn Bridge's architects.

    Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned

  • Like living history over again... but in person!

    David McCullough makes you feel as if you were participating in the story rather than reading it. It is history of an epic time and very easy to read. The only problem was the weight of the volume making it difficult to hold... I found laying it on the table was easiest.

    Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned

  • The Great Bridge: The Epic Story Of The Building Of The Brooklyn Bridge

    A fantastic story about the bridge that I would one day love to walk on. The bravery of the men who worked in the caissons is amazing. The political corruption back then was just as bad as it is now.

    Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned

  • Big Projects Always More Involved Than They Seem

    It’s amazing that the strong personality of one family did so much to shape the history of New York City and the National Bridge Treasure.

    Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned

  • Dont pass this up

    Great read typical of McCullough, with detail and a novelists’ flair, but completely informing of the building of the Brooklyn Bridge

    Verified purchase: YesCondition: New

  • Good read.

    Great book.

    Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned

  • the great bridge

    excellent coverage

    Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned

  • a must read for engineers and history buffs.

    Great history of the famous bridge

    Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned

  • Self explanatory

    Very thorough. Interesting story. Very well done.

    Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned