The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge

The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge Features

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First published in 1972, The Great Bridge is the classic account of one of the greatest engineering feats of all time. Winning acclaim for its comprehensive look at the building of the Brooklyn Bridge, this book helped cement David McCullough's reputation as America's preeminent social historian. Now, The Great Bridge is reissued as a Simon & Schuster Classic Edition with a new introduction by the author.

This monumental book brings back for American readers the heroic vision of the America we once had. It 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 great things were possible. In the years around 1870, when the project was first undertaken, the concept of building a great 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 pyramids. 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 obstructing the great enterprise. Amid the flood of praise for the book when it was originally published, Newsday said succinctly "This is the definitive book on the event. Do not wait for a better try: there won't be any."

What Customers Say About The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge:

I have gifted it to several friends and can't begin to tell you how much I enjoyed the book. I love the sriting of David McCullough and while his books 1176 and John Adams were his award winning efforts I found this to be a book that I just couldn't put down. I measure a great wrok if you are sorry when it is finished and that is exactly what happened when I read this book. If you love New York City this is a MUST read. It is FIVE STARS.Cheselton5

This audiobook focuses on the biography of the Roeblings. A narrator does provide brief synopses of the abridged sections. Unfortunately, this only whets the appetite for these sections that would provide greater detail on the actual constitution of the bridge.

I am happy. I received what I ordered. I received it faster than other book sellers send orders. However, I still wished it had arrived a few days quicker.

I DID NOT KNOW THAT THIS VENDOR WENT THROUGH GARBAGE BINS FOR HIS MERCHANDISE.THE BOOK SENT TO ME DID NOT HAVE THE SAME COVER AS ADVERTISED.THE BOOK WAS YELLOW WITH AGE AND HAD WRITING THROUGH OUT.ALSO,IT WAS MISSING SOME PAGES.HAD I HAD A CHANCE TO PERUSE THE BOOK I WOULD HAVE SENT IT BACK TO AMAZON.I COULD HAVE PURCHASED THE SAME BOOK LOCALLY FOR LESS MONEY AND NO OUTLANDISH SHIPPING CHARGES.I GUESS YOU CAN'T RELL A BOOK BY ITS COVER.I AM DISAPPOINTED IB AMAZON.THE GREAT BRIDGE ENDED UP BEING THE GREAT RIP-OFF.

I was transfixed by both of the Roebling men and wish they were still alive. I know it's been over 35 years since this book has been written, but that fact is irrelevant insofar as this book is concerned. I am headed to New York to walk this bridge. I found this book to be so engrossing. I felt like I was living during this time period while reading, and the bridge is just now being built. To know what is below the water, and has been for over a hundred years, and to know so very many details about the building of this bridge and the men who built it, endears it completely to me. Not only am I headed to NYC for a bridge trip, but I'm buying all of the David McCullough books I do not already own.