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David McCullough

The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge Audio CD – Audiobook, July 1, 2004

by David McCullough (Author), Edward Herrmann (Reader)

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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.

Language

English
Publisher

Simon & Schuster Audio
Publication date

July 1, 2004
Dimensions

5.1 x 1.33 x 5.92 inches
ISBN-10

9780743537230
ISBN-13

978-0743537230
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Great Bridge is a book so compelling and complete as to be a literary monument. . . . McCullough has written that sort of work which brings us to the human center of the past."
—Los Angeles Times

About the Author

David McCullough has twice received the Pulitzer Prize, for Truman and John Adams, and twice received the National Book Award, for The Path Between the Seas and Mornings on Horseback. His other acclaimed books include The Johnstown Flood, The Great Bridge, Brave Companions, 1776, The Greater Journey, The American Spirit, The Wright Brothers, and The Pioneers. He is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award. Visit DavidMcCullough.com.

Edward Herrmann's films include Nixon, The Purple Rose of Cairo, Annie, and The Aviator. On television's Gilmore Girls he starred as the patriarch, Richard Gilmore. He has also appeared on The Good Wife, Law & Order, 30 Rock, Grey's Anatomy, and Oz. He earned an Emmy Award for The Practice, and remains well-known for his Emmy-nominated portrayals of FDR in Eleanor and Franklin and Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years. On Broadway, he won a Tony Award for his performance in Mrs. Warren's Profession.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0743537238
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Simon & Schuster Audio; Abridged edition (July 1, 2004)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780743537230
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0743537230
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.9 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.1 x 1.33 x 5.92 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #446,674 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #33 in Bridge Engineering
- #1,610 in Books on CD
- #9,113 in U.S. State & Local History

Customer Reviews:
2,003 ratings

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David McCullough

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David McCullough has twice received the Pulitzer Prize, for Truman and John Adams, and twice received the National Book Award, for The Path Between the Seas and Mornings on Horseback; His other widely praised books are 1776, Brave Companions, The Great Bridge, and The Johnstown Flood. He has been honored with the National Book Foundation Distinguished Contribution to American Letters Award, the National Humanities Medal, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Customer reviews

5 star		76%
4 star		17%
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2 star		1%
1 star		1%

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Aunt Rosie

The Bridge built to last 300 years.

Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2017

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I absolutely liked this book. Took me two years to read it. I have it on my Kindle. I could underline what was interesting and look up words. Look people up. Totally fantastic. One of my favorite books. I even went to the library and checked out the hard copy to see the pictures. Lot's of footnotes. You won't regret reading this book. I put book down a few times to read other books. I even checked books about the Roblings, Boss Tweed, and then some including the Presidents when the bridge was built. or other political figures back then. I figured my great great grandfather John probably worked on the bridge at one time or other. My family is from NYC. I have walked over this bridge.

25 people found this helpful

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JVMD

Terrific history, 40th Anniversary Edition, ideal bedside table book.

Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2019

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Wonderful history of how this bridge was conceived, built, and how the project was advanced by various political and contracting entities as well as the engineers and technicians who were involved. Washington Roebling was the lead engineer, and solved all the technical problems involved in taking his father's rough design from concept to finished project.

Depicts the power of 19th century engineers as they created the modern world we take for granted in the 21st.

As a piece of Disruptive Technology, the Brooklyn Bridge was and is an amazing achievement, and it is astonishing to learn how such an enormous piece of human creativity came to be completed. It is highly unlikely that it could have been built today, if only because so many people and corporate/political entities would have to all agree to buy in, and see the project through to completion, while the materials and technology to complete the task were invented by Roebling and his crew. Certain necessary deceptions were crucial to moving the project along, including sketchy legislation and intentionally vague and obtuse legal agreements, courtesy of the legendary and notorious Boss Tweed, among others.

As was the case with so many great human achievements, it was consistently easier to ask forgiveness for what one has done, than to ask permission to do it before one starts.

The book is fun to read, and important to history aficionados because it was the author's first attempt at a complete book of history, in his quest to become a full-time author of history books. We are truly blessed that he's still cranking out wonderful history books.

5 people found this helpful

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Steven Goldstein

Fascinating look at a familiar object

Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2022

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As usual, David McCullough has written a deeply detailed look at an item from American History that may seem familiar but about which most of us know little. This book dives into the large cast of characters who drove the planning and construction of what was, at its time, almost a miracle of ingenuity and a project that devoured the lives of many people, most notably John Roebling, his son Washington, and Washington's wife Emily.

There are lengthy passages and illustrations explaining the technology developed to build the bridge and some may be a little too detailed for readers who don't find that aspect interesting, but there is also a great deal of attention devoted to the politics and interpersonal jealousies, greed, corruption, and civic pride that both plagued and drove the 14 year development of the Brooklyn Bridge.

In my opinion, McCullough has hit this one out of the park.

Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2019

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In a thoroughly researched story about the building of the Brooklyn Bridge, David McCullough lays out for us all of the stories, all of the prominent people, politics and the general spirit of the time. At times the details of the story are overwhelming slowing down the central subject of the story, namely the Roeblings. Washington Roebling in particular. The book builds along at a very gradual pace and then builds up as the bridge rushes to completion and dedication.
The story revolves around the Roebling family from the design phase to the construction phase of the bridge. Brilliance, dedication, and devotion really shine through. After his father’s death, the young Washington Roebling picks up the project and literally carries the bridge project on his back. Against all of the charges of corruption, multiple investigations during the life of the project and fatalities on the work site, Washington Roebling persevered. His dedicated approach delivered a structure for the ages. Not to be forgotten was the role of his wife, Elizabeth, who had the burden of filling in for her husband when he was ill and too weak to attend all of the required construction meetings and municipal review proceedings.
It is also important to note that the Brooklyn Bridge was conceived, designed by an immigrant. The bridge was built by an immigrant’s son, and, the vast majority of the bridge construction workers were immigrants.
The brilliance, the skill of the Roeblings, the dedication, and integrity of the father and son stands out as an example for us all. At a time when Americans dared to build great projects and see them through to completion, the Roebling Brooklyn Bridge project stands out as an example of American design brilliance and ingenuity.

One person found this helpful

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Dwood610

There is no good reason the Brooklyn Bridge should exist

Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2021

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There are far better reviews than mine on this 50 year old book. That said, this is worth your time in every way. The bridge that has always been there for us in my 50+years wasn't always there. To get it there, backroom deals, carpet bag bribes, risk taking engineering, brave builders, creative and imaginative planners and money - LOTS of money - all came together to bring the bridge to completion. If you're a New Yorker, this is a must read.

One person found this helpful

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Jan Stockton

The Granddaddy of Bridges!

Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2020

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The Great Bridge is one of the best books describing both the technical as well as the historical birth of Bridge Building! David McCullough captured the essence of Manhattan, Brooklyn, technology, science, and construction at one of the greatest times in the History of America! Thank you for teaching me the history and politics that was omitted in both high school and college courses! This should be required reading for history majors!
I thoroughly enjoyed the construction technology and materials science that was developed as a result of building the Great Brooklyn Bridge! I was also amazed at the medical breakthrough with regard to the bends.
What a great read!

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Top reviews from other countries

David

Getting from A to B

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 9, 2020

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Like so many things in life I came across David McCullough's work by good fortune, in that, I was doing post-graduate history research and saw his book entitled 'The Wright Brothers.' Since then my library now includes five of his other excellent fact-based books, all of which have been highly interesting, well researched and equally well-written. 'The Great Bridge' is no exception. It tells the story of why and how this incredible piece of engineering came into being, largely due to the intellect and dedication of the Roebling family, although they were not alone, since many others such as Brooklyn politicians, entrepreneurs, high-end engineers and a couple of swindlers and last but certainly not least, an extraordinary lady by the name of Emily, who together came to design and then supervise the construction of what at the time was the world's longest suspension bridge, connecting Brooklyn with Manhattan, New York. With the exception of the eye bars which had to be forged, all other major parts of the bridge were of a relatively new material , which engineers referred to as steel. Whilst the Brooklyn Bridge spanning the East River is nowadays dwarfed by other taller and perhaps more eye-catching structures on Manhattan Island, the Brooklyn Bridge continues to attract locals and visitors from around the world who not only enjoy the incredible views but in most cases are aware that this is still something very special, some have said the Eighth Wonder of the World but that might just be a slight exaggeration nowadays. Nevertheless, the story David McCullough tells keeps one's attention drawn to the narrative and in this writers case resulted in quite a bit of additional research. By the way, some of the wire used to make the main cables was sub-standard, although this fact was discovered at a point where it proved non-consequential. Enjoy the read. I'm just about to read one of his other books. Now let's see, will it be '1776,' 'The Johnstown Flood' or 'The Pioneers?' A good read is priceless.

One person found this helpful

Jim Bowen

An interesting read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 9, 2021

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Way back in the day, Brooklyn, and New York were different cities, either side of the East River. This book tells us about the Herculean effort to link the two cities, through the building of the "New York and Brooklyn Bridge".

Most people who look at the bridge these days can be a bit "Meh, it's a bridge, so what?" I think. This book will debunk that view by explaining how the bridge was built. It took an enormous effort to build the bridge, killing, and maiming people along the way, and is this explained here in the pages of this book.

It's well wroth a read.

M. Parr

Good, but diagrams weak

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 2, 2010

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The book has 3 strands: the technical stuff, the financial dealings (and double-dealings), and the personal story of the bridge designer and his family.

It is a thorough evocative book, and I recommend it.

However, the technical side of the construction could have been better. For example, there are some illustrations in the book, but they are not referred to in the text. So, you find yourself puzzling over a paragraph in the text, only to come across a diagram 50 pages later.

Additionally, several topics (such as the initial linking of the towers with strands) really need diagrams to clarify the text. A few more pages of original diagrams would have been useful, to add to the old photos and sketches.

DOPPLEGANGER

The pain that created the bridge.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 20, 2006

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Double Pulitzer Prize winner David McCullough ("Truman" and "John Adams") skillfully reveals the pain, hardship, skulduggery, danger and raw doggedness that combined to create the Brooklyn Bridge - against all odds, obstructiveness and physical barriers.

The reader is entertained with not only a real insight into the lives of the Roebling Family - father and son who designed the bridge and oversaw its construction - but also with the insufferable working conditions, the nefarious behaviour of politicians and the chance to savour at close hand the atmosphere of the second half of the nineteenth century in Brooklyn and New York.

6 people found this helpful

Joe

The definitive book on the 8th wonder of the world

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 5, 2013

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The story of the Brooklyn bridge is one that i have been fascinated about for years. Building suspension bridges is no easy task, even today. That the Roeblings pioneered such a large bridge with the technology of the day is astounding. And a testament to all who worked on the bridge project. It really was the 8th wonder of the industrial world. This book weaves together all the inter-twining threads of the Great Bridges story.

From John Roeblings journey to America, Washington Roeblings education and exploits in the civil war. Down in the caissons at the bottom of the east river, up on the bridge towers, spinning the cables. And Emily Roebling who finished the bridge after her Husband became sick with "Caissons disease". Nor is it just a story of engineering, or of human sacrifice. The political climate of the day provided just as many obstacles to the building of the great bridge as the east river, or crooked wire makers! Its a hell of a story, and nowhere will you found it better told than by McCullough!

One person found this helpful

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