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The Cable: Wire to the New World
The compelling story of how the first transatlantic cable was laid—updated with new images
This is the compelling story of the dramatic efforts to lay the Atlantic telegraph during the 1850s and 1960s, from the first failed attempts to the expedition that finally succeeded. An inconceivably audacious endeavor to overcome the forces of nature in the name of human progress and technology, the laying of the cable was to change forever our means of communication. In this exceptionally researched book, Gillian Cookson reveals the people who dared, lost, and profited from this vital progression.
This is the compelling story of the dramatic efforts to lay the Atlantic telegraph during the 1850s and 1960s, from the first failed attempts to the expedition that finally succeeded. An inconceivably audacious endeavor to overcome the forces of nature in the name of human progress and technology, the laying of the cable was to change forever our means of communication. In this exceptionally researched book, Gillian Cookson reveals the people who dared, lost, and profited from this vital progression.
- GenresNonfictionHistory
168 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2003
About the author
Gillian Cookson
22 booksGillian Cookson is the County Editor for Durham of the Victoria County History of England and is a lecturer at Durham University. She lives in Yorkshire.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 29, 2016
Technically interesting, but boringly written - could have been much more passionate about the players.
April 14, 2026
informative and consise. Easy to read in a couple days and I am glad of the inclusion of pictures in the centre page spread.
Personally I found that the timeliness were a bit jumbled. If were in 1856 why mentions 1865 and then go back to 1857 but then ofcourse remember we're actually still in 1856. Its like that the whole way through and makes your head spin. Also way too many names and numbers. Can skim so much of the book if you choose to look past every mention of share price increase and donations etc etc. Superfluous to the story. Some numbers I felt were missing eg the Great Eastern was the biggest ship of it's size but we were not told a length or gross tonnage.
Still enjoyed it though thanks Gillian
Personally I found that the timeliness were a bit jumbled. If were in 1856 why mentions 1865 and then go back to 1857 but then ofcourse remember we're actually still in 1856. Its like that the whole way through and makes your head spin. Also way too many names and numbers. Can skim so much of the book if you choose to look past every mention of share price increase and donations etc etc. Superfluous to the story. Some numbers I felt were missing eg the Great Eastern was the biggest ship of it's size but we were not told a length or gross tonnage.
Still enjoyed it though thanks Gillian
September 16, 2020
I preferred Arthur C Clarke's telling of this tale in the first part of 'How the World Was One'. This book has a good detail but can be dry.
January 9, 2021
A comprehensive but sometimes technical account of this feat of ingenuity
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews