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

Part one. The Plan -- Man of Iron -- The Genuine Language of America -- Father and Son -- Brooklyn -- The Proper Person to See -- The Chief Engineer -- Part two. All According to Plan -- Down in the Caisson -- Picture Section -- Fire -- The Past Catches Up -- How Natural, Right, and Proper -- The Mysterious Disorder -- The Heroic Mode -- Part three. At the Halfway Mark -- Spirits of 76 -- A Perfect Pandemonium -- Number 8, Birmingham Gauge -- The Gigantic Spinning Machine -- Picture Section -- Wire Fraud -- Emily -- The Man in the Window -- And Yet the Bridge Is Beautiful -- The People's Day -- Epilogue -- Appendix.;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.-- Part One. The Plan -- Man Of Iron -- The Genuine Language Of America -- Father And Son -- Brooklyn -- The Proper Person To See -- The Chief Engineer -- Part Two. All According To Plan -- Down In The Caisson -- Picture Section -- Fire -- The Past Catches Up -- How Natural, Right, And Proper -- The Mysterious Disorder -- The Heroic Mode -- Part Three. At The Halfway Mark -- Spirits Of '76 -- A Perfect Pandemonium -- Number 8, Birmingham Gauge -- The Gigantic Spinning Machine -- Picture Section -- Wire Fraud -- Emily -- The Man In The Window -- And Yet The Bridge Is Beautiful -- The People's Day -- Epilogue -- Appendix. David Mccullough. Preface To The Great Bridge Anniversary Edition--page 9; 49th Anniversary Edition Label On Front Cover Of Book Jacket. Color Illustrations On Lining Papers. Originally Published: New York : Simon And Schuster, 1972; Reprinted 2001 With New Introduction By The Author; Reprinted 2012 With New Preface By The Author. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 567-578) And Index. Published on the fortieth anniversary of its initial publication, this edition of the classic book contains a new Preface by David McCullough, one of our most gifted living writers ( The Washington Post ). Built to join the rapidly expanding cities of New York and Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Bridge was thought by many at the start to be an impossibility destined to fail if not from insurmountable technical problems then from political corruption. (It was the heyday of Boss Tweed in New York.) But the Brooklyn Bridge was at once the greatest engineering triumph of the age, a surpassing work of art, a proud American icon, and a story like no other in our history. Courage, chicanery, unprecedented ingenuity and plain blundering, heroes, rascals, all the best and worst in human nature played a part. At the center of the drama were the stricken chief engineer, Washington Roebling and his remarkable wife, Emily Warren Roebling, neither of whom ever gave up in the face of one heartbreaking setback after another. The Great Bridge is a sweeping narrative of a stupendous American achievement that rose up out of its era like a cathedral, a symbol of affirmation then and still in our time. The enthralling story of one of the greatest accomplishments in our nation's history, the building of what was then the longest suspension bridge in the world. The Brooklyn Bridge rose out of the expansive era following the Civil War, when Americans believed all things were possible. So daring a concept as spanning the East River to join two great cities required vision and dedication of the kind that went into building Europe's great cathedrals. During fourteen years of construction, the odds seemed overwhelming. Bodies were crushed and broken, lives lost, notorious political empires fell, and surges of public doubt constantly threatened the project. But the story of the building of the Brooklyn Bridge is not just the saga of an engineering miracle; it is a narrative of the social climate of the time, replete with heroes and rascals who helped either to construct or to exploit the great enterprise. -- From publisher description First published in 1972, The Great Bridge is the classic account of one of the greatest engineering feats of all time -- the building of the Brooklyn Bridge. Celebrating the centennial of the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge, here is the classic account of one of the greatest engineering feats of all time THEY MET AT HIS REQUEST on at least six different occasions, beginning in February 1869.