The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge
by David McCullough
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 550)
Read in April, 2007
If you ever go to New York and don't walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, you will have missed what would have been the highlight of your trip. In my opinion (and that of many New York natives, I might add), it is simply the most important thing to see in New York. There is just something about the Bridge that is awe-inspiring. That, combined with the fact that I'm a big McCullough fan, made me read this book, and I was not disappointed. It's a long book with small text, but it definitely merits its...more
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I listened to this book on CD and really enjoyed it. There were a couple of chapters that were "dull" and if I had been physically reading it I may have had difficulty getting through, but overall it was fascinating.
Its always amazing to see the efforts people go through to do what they think is right, and to do their job (as in the case of the chief engineer of the bridge). There are also always people for selfish reasons who will try to beat down good people and try to stand on t...more
Its always amazing to see the efforts people go through to do what they think is right, and to do their job (as in the case of the chief engineer of the bridge). There are also always people for selfish reasons who will try to beat down good people and try to stand on t...more
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Read in July, 2008
David McCullough is one of my favorite authors. His ability to elevate the dry details of history into an engaging and personal story is unmatched. The auther mixes painstaking historical research with personal insights into the life of the John A. Roebling family. Designed by John A. Roebling, the bridge was constructed over a 14 year period under the direction of John's son Washington Roebling and his wife Emily. Hands on, gritty and intellectually stimulating, I would recommend this book t...more
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Read in July, 2007
Warning: This book is nowhere near as exciting as Transformers. That being said, McCullough's book is a good one, especially if you like to skim (it's easy to get bogged down in the technical details so unless you're fascinated with the principles of 19th century architecture you won't have to read the book word by word). The most interesting sections of the book didn't really involve the bridge itself but events occurring at the periphery of the bridge's construction, like the shenanigan...more
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Read in April, 2008
It had been on the bookshelf for years as I like to read books about public works projects. Then about A year ago I attended a lecture by David McCullogh and had the opportunity to meet him afterwards. If only he could be cloned and put in to elementary, middle, and high school classrooms -- the things kidz would be inspired to learn. I listened to this as a Book on CD. Not only is it a good read about the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, but there is a good bit of history surrounding Tre...more
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recommends it for:
anyone interested in history, architecture, and New York City
As David McCullough is one of my favorite writers about history, I expected a lot from this book and was not disappointed. Aside from the immensely engaging story of the obstacles, both engineering and human, faced and overcome to build the bridge, I was struck once again by the cavalier way most of us take great accomplishments for granted. Thank goodness there are people like David McCullough who do not!
I've read this book and listened to it a couple of times on CD, and it never fails to...more
I've read this book and listened to it a couple of times on CD, and it never fails to...more
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Read in April, 2008
Fascinating and riveting if you're into history and how things are made. Starts slow with the history of the Roebling family, but once they actually start building the bridge I was really hooked. Amazing how long it took, and the technology used in the late 1800's. The book also gives a vivid account of the behind the scenes politics of the Tammany Hall era or NYC.
It's not a page turner, but I still found it interesting.
It's not a page turner, but I still found it interesting.
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Read in January, 2000
David McCullough sure knows how to write books of history that make you want to learn more about a subject. In this instance, how were the obstacles associated with the building of the Brooklyn Bridge ultimately overcome? Every civil engineer should be required to read this book because the design, construction and ethical aspects of today's projects can still be tied to this prominent structure.
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Read in January, 2008
I've never been much of a non-fiction type of guy, but this book draws you in and makes you want to keep reading. Being able to take what seems like such a simple story - building a bridge - and wrapping it around all the human drama that goes on is amazing. I recommend this book to everyone who loves non-fiction, and anyone else who has time on their hands to read a very hefty book.
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Who would think that a book about the construction of a bridge could be so incredible? McCullough is unmatched as a historical writer in my opinion. He takes us through every stage of this massive undertaking. The story of the Roebling's; father, son and ultimately wife who are responsisble for the completion of the bridge is almost unbelievable. This is a must read.
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A book about a bridge? Sounds exciting doesn't it? It is actually very interesting. You will not believe how they built this bridge. Also, check out the Ken Burns Documentary from the library. He uses David McCaullough as a reference. American Ingenuity at it's best and worst.
If you are a Scuba diver you will be very interested in this book.
If you are a Scuba diver you will be very interested in this book.
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This is my favorite non-fiction book of all time. The story behind this bridge just sums up so much about human nature. How much we can achieve, but also how much we can f*ck ourselves and others over, from pride and greed. Plus, the bridge is beautiful, and after you read this it'll just look four hundred million times more beautiful to you.
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Read in January, 2005
When we moved to Lower Manhattan, I became obsessed with reading everything I possibly could about it. All of David McCullough's books are great, but this is one of my favorites. If you've ever walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, you should read this and marvel at the structure under your feet.
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Read in December, 2006
A history of the building of the Brooklyn Bridge covering not just the events surrounding the actual construction, but the political games behind the scenes and the terrible personal cost of the project to the engineer behind it. Considerably more interesting than one would initially guess.
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Read in January, 1984
One of McCoullough's early works (maybe the earliest?) and still one of his best. A great story told well with equal treatment of the technology and the people. A very easy book to read, well paced and not as ponderous as his later biographies of Truman and Adams.
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Not one of McCullough's greatest works. It's good for a skim but I wouldn't expect to read it from cover to cover. The engineering feats behind the bridge are quite impressive, and I was surprised as to what a historical moment its construction presented.
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David McCullough is a great popular historian. If history were taught like this in high school, students would have a greater love not only of the subject, but of humanity. History is about people...and no one tells it better than McCullough.
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Read in January, 2004
I have to admit, I was not looking forward to reading this at all when it was assigned in a history class. Surprisingly, I read the whole thing rather quickly. The writing style is excellent and the subject is made fairly interesting.
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Read in July, 2008
recommends it for:
History buffs or engineering types
Great story about an amazing feat of construction, but also loaded with insights into the culture of America at the time of the first Centennial. Well-crafted portrayal of sacrifice and hard work as is seldom seen in today's world.
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Read in December, 2007
I love biographies and this one was a great biography of an inanimate object (although you could probably argue that the Brooklyn Bridge has an anima). Well-written, well researched, the engineering isn't too dumbed-down either.
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