Since its opening over years ago, the bridge has become an icon of new york city. Ken burns discusses producing his documentary on the brooklyn bridge emmytvlegends. Mccullough talked about his writings and his career and responded to audience telephone calls. The opening of the brooklyn bridge the william steinway. Interesting story of how this all came about, who was involved and in what capacity.
This is a compelling story about the amazing and significant feat of building the brooklyn bridge in the mid to late 1800s. The dramatic and enthralling story of the building of the brooklyn bridge, the worlds 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. The epic story of the building of the brooklyn bridge touchstone book mccullough, david isbn. On wednesday, may 30, before setting off on walking tours led by a cadre of. File in this april 19, 2017 file photo author david mccullough attends the opening ceremony for museum of the american revolution in philadelphia. First published in 1972, the great bridge is the classic account of one of the greatest engineering feats of all time. I especially enjoyed the last several chapters covering the opening of the. Construction of the brooklyn bridge took 14 yearsand.
This monumental book is the enthralling story of one of the greatest events in our. The epic story of the building of the brooklyn bridge 2002. The epic story of the building of the brooklyn bridge ebook written by david mccullough. We follow its progress from the mind of roebling who would have his son complete it, open it on may 24, 1883 and along the way we hear about the blood and tears that went into it. The great bridge was his second book, but its the start of a long run of narratives about success. The great bridge by david mccullough the epic story of the building of the brooklyn bridge my thoughts. The epic story of the building of the brooklyn bridge and spent a lot of time near it when researching the battle of brooklyn for his book 1776. The epic story of the building of the brooklyn bridge. The epic story of the building of the brooklyn bridge mccullough, david on. Liked this book a lot for all that was involved in it and learning of the builders other works. It is a good book as far as research and clear writing.
May 15, 2019 david mcculloughs new book, the pioneers, draws criticism for its depiction of white settlement, native americans. The book the great bridge by david mccullough was a very detailed account of the long and troublesome building of the brooklyn bridge. He is a pulitzer prizewinning historian whose books include, truman, the johnstown flood. The great bridge is no exception, but there were times when i had to push myself to read through only a few times. In the shadow of genius builds upon david mcculloughs seminal book, the great bridge 1972, by introducing new documents unavailable to him. Jul 01, 2004 the dramatic and enthralling story of the building of the brooklyn bridge, the worlds 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. Winning acclaim for its comprehensive look at the building of the brooklyn bridge, this book helped cement david mcculloughs reputation as americas preeminent social historian. The great bridge links politics, engineering and human drama in telling the epic story of the building of the brooklyn bridge, from 1869 to 1883.
Sep 16, 2019 of all the engineering advances in the 1800s, the brooklyn bridge stands out as perhaps the most famous and most remarkable. May 15, 2019 file in this april 19, 2017 file photo author david mccullough attends the opening ceremony for museum of the american revolution in philadelphia. The book then ends with a spectacular grand opening of the brooklyn bridge. Mccullough writes in his definitive book, the great bridge. American modernist poet hart crane used the brooklyn bridge as a central metaphor and organizing structure for his second and most important book of poetry, the bridge. Since opening, the brooklyn bridge has undergone several reconfigurations, having carried horsedrawn vehicles and elevated railway lines until 1950. David mccullough book on brooklyn bridge reissued on its. David mccullough talks about the brooklyn bridge youtube. What david mccullough has written is a stupendous narrative about the building of the brooklyn bridge, with a cast of thousands give or take 100, whose major characters come alive on the page as authentically, as creatively, as would their fictional counterparts if one had the imagination to dream up. Burns drew heavily on mccullough s book for the film and used him as narrator. Mccullough obviously did thorough research to understand and clearly tell the story of the politics and the technical expertise behind building this monumental bridge. The great bridge and millions of other books are available for instant access.
Jul 15, 2019 horrific workplace accidents during the 14year construction of the brooklyn bridge claimed a string of lives and left its designer dead and his son crippled. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. Historian opposes tower near brooklyn bridge the new. Jan 01, 1972 the book the great bridge by david mccullough was a very detailed account of the long and troublesome building of the brooklyn bridge. With paul roebling, julie harris, arthur miller, kurt vonnegut jr this documentary chronicles the worldfamous brooklyn bridge in new york city. When he eventually passes away his son washington roebling takes over and continues where his father left off. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the great bridge. However, it is not that engaging or entertaining as a story, compared to similar historical books like the power broker. The epic story of the building of the brooklyn bridge audiobook by david mccullough. Though this illustrated, oversized brooklyn book coincides with the brooklyn bridge centenary, the author here is not the historian david mccullough who wrote the great bridge but, rather, a chatty, unassuming bookofthemonth club board member. David mcculloughs new book, the pioneers, draws criticism for its depiction of white settlement, native americans. What david mccullough has written is a stupendous narrative about the building of the brooklyn bridge, with a cast of thousands give or take 100, whose major characters come alive on the page as authentically, as creatively, as would their fictional counterparts if one had the imagination to dream up such a yarn.
Just why this bridge, more than all others, has had such a hold on people is very hard to pin down. Mccullough has written that sort of work which brings us to the human center of the past. David mccullough talks about the brooklyn bridge ken burns. The bridgeoriginally referred to as the new york and brooklyn bridge and as the east river bridgecitation needed was opened for use on may 24, 1883.
William did consider the opening of the brooklyn bridge on may 24, 1883, a noteworthy event. Historian opposes tower near brooklyn bridge the new york times. Mccullough also focuses on the politics and people behind the bridge, and finishes his masterpiece by quoting an elderly woman from long island that remembers that the excitement in 1969, when two men walked on the moon, was nothing compared to the day the brooklyn. Brooklyn bridge wikimili, the best wikipedia reader. Burns drew heavily on mcculloughs book for the film and used him as narrator. A community of builders season 1 brooklyn bridge pbs. To make matters worse, mccullough dutifully struggles through the administrative history of the brooklyn bridge company which financed and contracted for the project with the help of the tweed machine and various brooklyn bosses who profited handsomely amid continuous allegations of kickbacks and mismanagement of funds. David mccullough, whose most recent book is mornings on horseback, a biography of theodore roosevelt, also wrote the great bridge. First published in 1972, the great bridge is the classic account of one of the.
If you havent read a book by david mccullough you are missing a very good. The proposal received much acclaim in both cities, and residents predicted that the new york and brooklyn bridges opening would have as much of an impact as the suez canal, the first transatlantic telegraph cable or the first transcontinental railroad. This audio book of david mcculloughs the great bridge is the account of one of americas greatest engineering featsthe building of the brooklyn bridge. It was may 24, 1883, the most important day of public ceremony in new york since the opening of the erie canal, for it marked the completion of the magnificent east river bridge, widely. Brooklyn bridge manhattan new york city the brooklyn. Mar 27, 1983 david mccullough, whose most recent book is mornings on horseback, a biography of theodore roosevelt, also wrote the great bridge. The epic story of the building of the brooklyn bridge by david mccullough. Uncommonly good collectible and rare books from uncommonly good booksellers. It starts with john roebling and his design and plans for the building of the brooklyn bridge. Tempo shock david mccullough is the author of such works as truman and the great bridge. I recommend this book to anyone who appreciates good history.
Brooklyn bridge 1981 12 out of 4 ken burns first documentary takes a look at the history of the brooklyn bridge. The story of the great bridge gave powerful insights into the need for a more efficient method of transportation. I listened to this book after listening to mcculloughs fascinating the greater journey. On may 24, 1883, the brooklyn bridge over the east river opened, connecting the great cities of new york and brooklyn for the first time in history. The epic story of the building of the brooklyn bridge the making of the brooklyn bridge.
Librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers. The construction of the brooklyn bridge is detailed in the 1972 book the great bridge by david mccullough 15 and brooklyn bridge 1981, the first pbs documentary film ever made by ken burns. His debut, the johnstown flood, came out in 1968 and told of the 1889 disaster that killed. A brilliant feat of 19thcentury engineering, the bridge was the first to use steel for cable wire, and during its construction explosives were used inside a pneumatic caisson for the first time. Jul 24, 2012 david mccullough talks about the brooklyn bridge ken burns.
Brooklyn bridge, suspension bridge spanning the east river from brooklyn to manhattan in new york city. Public excitement was immense, and the affair was not to be forgotten by those who were there. Winning acclaim for its comprehensive look at the building of the brooklyn bridge, this book helped cement david mccullough s reputation as americas preeminent social historian. This monumental book is the enthralling story of one of the greatest events in our nations history, during the age of optimism.
Mcculloughs new book on pioneers history draws criticism. It is also described in seven wonders of the industrial world, a bbc docudrama series with accompanying book. Realizing each community stands to benefit from a land link between them, brooklyn and manhattan politicians obtain from the new york assembly a charter. Mcculloughs book pointed out that new york city became the destination of choice for big business and high paying jobs but brooklyn had the vast land masses to build the homes to raise families. The day of the grand opening thursday, may 24, 1883. Horrific workplace accidents during the 14year construction of the brooklyn bridge claimed a string of lives and left its designer dead and his son crippled. David mccullough is one of the countrys most beloved historians, known for his pulitzer prizewinning biographies of harry truman and john adams, acclaimed works on the brooklyn bridge and panama canal, and for narrating such famous documentaries as ken burns the civil war. The epic story of the building of the brooklyn bridge is a 1972 book about the construction of the brooklyn bridge written by popular historian david mccullough. On wednesday, may 30, before setting off on walking tours led by a cadre of brooklyn authors, booksellers will have the opportunity to.
On may 24, 1883, brooklyn mayor seth low said, at the opening of what was then known as the great east river bridge, not one shall see it and not feel prouder to be a man. Mcculloughs new book is facing strong criticism for romanticizing white settlers and deemphasizing the pain inflicted on native americans in the presentday american midwest. The construction of the brooklyn bridge is detailed in the 1978 book the great bridge by david mccullough and brooklyn bridge 1981, the first pbs documentary film ever made by ken burns. As this book is about the building of the brooklyn bridge mccullough at times appropriately talks about engineering and other matters of science and my mind does not naturally. The great bridge book by david mccullough official. Both books were compelling looks at 19th century history. Of all the engineering advances in the 1800s, the brooklyn bridge stands out as perhaps the most famous and most remarkable. The first edition of the novel was published in january 1st 1972, and was written by david mccullough. David mccullough in his book the great bridge wrote of this when he quoted a woman as saying the excitement over astronauts walking on the moon was nothing compared to what she had seen on the day they opened the brooklyn bridge. To make matters worse, mccullough dutifully struggles through the administrative history of the brooklyn bridge company which financed and. Norman rosten, newsday the great bridge is a book so compelling and complete as to be a literary monument. Aug, 2017 american modernist poet hart crane used the brooklyn bridge as a central metaphor and organizing structure for his second and most important book of poetry, the bridge. Mccullough lives in maine now, but he used to live near the bridge, he wrote the great bridge. The construction of the brooklyn bridge is detailed in the 1972 book the great bridge by david mccullough and brooklyn bridge 1981, the first pbs documentary film by ken burns.
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