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

The Great McCullough

It is hard for me to be objective about this book. First off, I am a great admirer of David McCullough's histories. Second, I have published two novels which are set in New York during the mid-19th Century. But what probably makes it hardest for me to be objective is that I have walked over that bridge for my own personal pleasure so many times over the decades that I consider it an old friend. It's my bridge. Having said all that, I can say that Mr. McCullough has written a history that is not only about a bridge and its builders, which are fascinating subjects in their own right, but it is also about what New Yorkers were thinking back then. This was still a horizontal world the era of early skyscrapers was a few decades away. Because of this and the rapid growth in population after the Civil War, Manhattan was mostrously choked by block after block of four- and five-story tenements, warehouses and factories. The need for a reliable means to get to the vast open spaces of Brooklyn was urgent. Ironically, however, it wasn't the horizontal--the length of the bridge--which stunned the witnesses to the construction. Instead they marvelled at the height of the towers and the height of the roadway over the East River. Not as ironic, however, were the people who didn't marvel at the bridge's beauty and the strength of its construction. They were too busy licking their lips, wringing their hands and wondering how much of the bridge's budget would make its way into their wallets. The elements of corruption, then as now, always lurked near a great public work in New York. McCullough covers this tainted side just as carefully as he reports on the glory of the growth of the bridge. Heroes (the Roeblings) and villains (Tweed & Co.) abound, while New York's most beautiful and efficient structure comes to life. I've been as honest as possible. I recommend this book highly to anyone with an interest in engineering, New York history, or just a good story with great characters. Rocco Dormarunno Instructor, College of New Rochelle

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

A quintessential American story

Mr. McCullough came to my attention with his mellifluous narration of Ken Burns' Civil War documentary, as well as on The American Experience. Little did I know, his voice was only one of his talents: His writing in The Great Bridge has the same haunting ring on the printed page as his voice does on national television. He writes about a time in American history--the building of the Brooklyn Bridge--that people today would rather not think about. But through the dignity of his storytelling, the exactitude of his research, and the empathy for his subjects, he brings the ghosts of historical past to life once again. These characters--and there are many--breathe and heave in all their fallible beauty. This is a story about America at a time when the concept of America was only beginning to take shape. It was a time after the Civil War, at the rise of the Industrial revolution, at the end of the 19th centry; and it was a time when corruption walked hand in hand with ingenuity; when the visionary and the meek came together; when wonders still existed and there were mountains left for man to climb. Mr. McCullough gives us a rearview mirror look at our country and, though many people would regard the building of a bridge--any bridge--an innocuous moment in time, this book makes clear that dreams are never insignificant.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Captivating story, but where are the illustrations??

An astonishing story of the building of an American architectural icon. Mr. McCullough brings it to enormous life. However, none of the illustrations and pictures in the printed version appear in this e-book (I borrowed a hard copy from the friend who recommended it). Very interesting, though, that Mr. McCullough's narrative descriptions of the engineering are so well-done that when I was able to view the illustrations, they were nearly as I had pictured them.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Best Read in several years

Always fascinated by the story, especially after seeing the documentary several years ago. (Wikipedia reports that the documentary was based on this book and the author narrated).

Tremendous story of personal sacrifice, dirty politicians, greed, an irresponsible press, a gullible public, both at the end joyously appreciative, (you thought these symptoms were the sole province of today's TV culture?) and an unbelievable technical achievement when you think of all the technology they didn't have.

I was somewhat sad when I hit the end realizing there was no more to the story. Throughly enjoyable read.

Comments on the eBook version: no pictures which is a real shame as they are immensely helpful when visualizing some of the more technical passages. Halfway through the book, I finally went to the store and spent a few minutes going over the pictures to set things right in my mind before continuing. The pictures helped bring the scale of the effort into play more than words could. Seems my copy had the Epilogue duplicated which was odd. Some occasional and weird typographic errors. Other than that all was good.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A Stunning Bridge and the Pride of NY

At nearly 6000 feet long and 85 feet wide, the Brooklyn bridge is an iconic structure of New York. McCollough has done a masterful work here and gives a great historical background regarding the bridge's construction and lives lost building it. An important part of American history. -Tahir Rahman, author of We Came in Peace for all Mankind: the untold story of the Apollo 11 silicon disc

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Mr McCullough

I first became aware of Mr McCullough through Ken Burns' excellent documetary on the Civil War. Being a great student of American history I have since read several of his works, and happily have found with the completion of each my respect for his literary abilities grows. With this fine piece Mr McCullough has once again transported his readers back in time, for he has the ability like few authors I have ever read to make you feel as if you are actually living in the period. In this case he has shown us the dishonesty and greed of some less than honorable men, as compared to the hard work and sacrifice of a great many others in particular that of the Roebling family. I had the pleasure with my wife in the spring of 2002 to drive across Mr Roebling's bridge, never having known then all the hard work and turmoil which took place in it's contruction. I strongly recommend anyone who is a student of American history, the City of New York, or a fan of Mr McCullough's read this book!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The best of the best. Simply

Being an a structural engineer I highly recommend it for its historical and technical attributes. It is a fantastic story of human struggle against nature. It is simply great!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Awesome and moving reading experience

What a wonderful, well written and inspiring book. The author 'time machines' the reader back into Brooklyn/NYC in the 1800s. As your mind's eye watches the great bridge built savor the smells and sounds of a time long gone. Much of the book centers around J. Roebling and son, Washington, who masterminded the design and inspiring building of this beautiful bridge. Don't miss this one; it's a book and a story that you won't soon forget.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Brooklynites unite behind our bridge!

If you are from Brooklyn or want to be from the fourth largest city in America you MUST read this book. The Brooklyn Bridge is ours and we should know ALL about it. This book will educate us all.

A great book about the great bridge

It is hard for me to be objective about this book. First off, I am a great admirer of David McCullough's histories. Second, I have published two novels which are set in New York during the mid-19th Century. But what probably makes it hardest for me to be objective is that I have walked over that bridge for my own personal pleasure so many times over the decades that I consider it an old friend. It's my bridge. Having said all that, I can say that Mr. McCullough has written a history that is not only about a bridge and its builders, which are fascinating subjects in their own right, but it is also about what New Yorkers were thinking back then. This was still a horizontal world; the era of early skyscrapers was a few decades away. Because of this and the rapid growth in population after the Civil War, Manhattan was mostrously choked by block after block of four- and five-story tenements, warehouses and factories. The need for a reliable means to get to the vast open spaces of Brooklyn was urgent. Ironically, however, it wasn't the horizontal--the length of the bridge--which stunned the witnesses to the construction. Instead they marvelled at the height of the towers and the height of the roadway over the East River. Not as ironic, however, were the people who didn't marvel at the bridge's beauty and the strength of its construction. They were too busy licking their lips, wringing their hands and wondering how much of the bridge's budget would make its way into their wallets. The elements of corruption, then as now, always lurked near a great public work in New York. McCullough covers this tainted side just as carefully as he reports on the glory of the growth of the bridge. Heroes (the Roeblings) and villains (Tweed & Co.) abound, while New York's most beautiful and efficient structure comes to life. I've been as honest as possible. I recommend this book highly to anyone with an interest in engineering, New York history, or just a good story with great characters.

Read with great interest.

Trying to picture some of the details explained concerning methods employed in the various aspects of constructing the bridge were difficult to image, e.g., workings of the caissons, anchorages, and tricks used in wiring. Otherwise, enlightening.

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