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diegoo21's review against another edition
4.0
Hace unos cuantos años vi este libro en Metromedia, y no lo compré porque basándome en el reverso del libro, pero pareció que el libro iba a servir para argumentar la gloria de los Estados Unidos y ensalzar su intervención en la geopolítica regional. Sin embargo, tras haberlo concluido, puedo corroborar que estaba equivocado. Matthew Parker en realidad hace una investigación minuciosa e imparcial de los hechos, tal como diversos registros lo pintan. Más allá de las jugadas políticas dudosas de personajes como Teddy Roosevelt, de las miles de muertes y la asquerosa segregación racial existente durante todo el tiempo de la construcción, la mera construcción del Canal de Panamá fue y sigue siendo un hecho insólito, un majestuoso ejemplo de como el hombre puede llegar a ganarle la partida a la naturaleza. De igual forma, es indiscutible reconocer que la culminación del canal por parte de los norteamericanos marca el fin de la Era Victoriana y de la hegemonía de las potencias europeas para dar lugar, al que para bien o para mal, fue el siglo de Estados Unidos.
alexctelander's review against another edition
5.0
In this brilliant historical epic that rivals and in some ways exceeds David McCullough’s mighty tome, The Path Between the Seas, from the author of The Battle of Britain and Monte Cassino, Matthew Parker tells a tale that will not be ready lightly in Panama Fever. For those looking for a quick, short story about how the Panama Canal got built, turn away now. For those wanting to know how much back-breaking labor, how many lives were lost, how many companies and families were bankrupted, and how many countries were brought to both war and shame, Panama Fever is the book for you.
Divided into three large chunks, Parker begins at the absolute beginning with the discovery of American by Columbus and the original idea that was developed to create a passage across the narrowest part of Central America, providing access to the great Pacific Ocean. It wasn’t until centuries later that plans were begun to see about creating a canal through Central America, linking the two great oceans.
In the second part, “The French Tragedy,” readers learn that France was one of the first countries to begin an excavation in an attempt to create a canal. Organized and run by the great Frenchman, Ferdinand de Lesseps, who was already popular and famous after the successful and completion of the Suez Canal, the Panama Canal project was to be his life’s greatest work. His undoing lay in his demand that the canal be made all on one even level, which in reality was an impossibility. Thousands and thousands died from malaria or yellow fever, due to the swamps and ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, coupled with primitive medical techniques. Labor was imported from Jamaica, but the fever had no preference for skin color or class standing. The project was forced to stop and restart multiple times due to a combination of these factors, and the extreme cost and incorrectly predicted timeline.
In “The American Triumph,” President Theodore Roosevelt proclaims that an US-controlled Panama Canal was vital to American industry and to protect and defend the United States from attack. With Panama under Colombian control, Roosevelt instigated a coup – though profusely denied it – for Panamanian rebels to overthrow their Colombian rulers. Then the US went in, taking over Panama after lying to them about their proposed freedom, and work was begun on the canal which was finally completed in late 1913.
Panama Fever is a book that holds nothing back, giving all the gritty details, the body counts, the political slandering and corruption, as well as the amazing history of how this little canal became such a historical undertaking. Filled with numerous photos, illustrative maps, and diagrams where necessary, readers will feel satiated with knowledge about the Panama Canal and its historic albeit tainted creation.
For more reviews, check out the BookBanter site.
Divided into three large chunks, Parker begins at the absolute beginning with the discovery of American by Columbus and the original idea that was developed to create a passage across the narrowest part of Central America, providing access to the great Pacific Ocean. It wasn’t until centuries later that plans were begun to see about creating a canal through Central America, linking the two great oceans.
In the second part, “The French Tragedy,” readers learn that France was one of the first countries to begin an excavation in an attempt to create a canal. Organized and run by the great Frenchman, Ferdinand de Lesseps, who was already popular and famous after the successful and completion of the Suez Canal, the Panama Canal project was to be his life’s greatest work. His undoing lay in his demand that the canal be made all on one even level, which in reality was an impossibility. Thousands and thousands died from malaria or yellow fever, due to the swamps and ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, coupled with primitive medical techniques. Labor was imported from Jamaica, but the fever had no preference for skin color or class standing. The project was forced to stop and restart multiple times due to a combination of these factors, and the extreme cost and incorrectly predicted timeline.
In “The American Triumph,” President Theodore Roosevelt proclaims that an US-controlled Panama Canal was vital to American industry and to protect and defend the United States from attack. With Panama under Colombian control, Roosevelt instigated a coup – though profusely denied it – for Panamanian rebels to overthrow their Colombian rulers. Then the US went in, taking over Panama after lying to them about their proposed freedom, and work was begun on the canal which was finally completed in late 1913.
Panama Fever is a book that holds nothing back, giving all the gritty details, the body counts, the political slandering and corruption, as well as the amazing history of how this little canal became such a historical undertaking. Filled with numerous photos, illustrative maps, and diagrams where necessary, readers will feel satiated with knowledge about the Panama Canal and its historic albeit tainted creation.
For more reviews, check out the BookBanter site.
heather62's review against another edition
4.0
When I booked myself and children on a Panama Canal cruise everyone recommended that I read The Path Between the Seas so I ordered it from Amazon. But I just could not get through it. I found myself trying and just absolutely not being able to endure it ultimately abandoning it at page 76.
I borrowed this from the library and found it far more interesting. I don't know why this is on the Audio CD version as I actually read the Kindle version but never mind.
I borrowed this from the library and found it far more interesting. I don't know why this is on the Audio CD version as I actually read the Kindle version but never mind.
evamadera1's review against another edition
4.0
I almost gave this book a three star review but held off because it was just the narrator of the audiobook brining the rating down. I am very thankful to be listening to a different audiobook now with a much better narrator. (A British accent usually solves everything.) This narrator also stopped, cleared his throat and backtracked to the beginning of the sentence before continuing. That probably has more to say about the editing director than the narrator but still.
I also have to admit that when I first started listening to this audiobook I was rather distracted and did not hear much of the foundational text. (Thus another reason that I am giving it the benefit of the doubt.)
Additionally, I had to stop comparing this book to McCullough's (which I still think is better) before I could write a decent review.
This author spent a lot of time on the social and cultural aspect of building the bridge which was absolutely fascinating. It did verge just a bit on the macabre with the descriptions of the death and distraction from disease and work-place accidents.
The author clearly did his research, a whole bunch by the looks/"listens" of each chapter. He definitely knows his stuff.
While he takes his time and sometimes too much gets included on the page, I definitely recommend this book.
I also have to admit that when I first started listening to this audiobook I was rather distracted and did not hear much of the foundational text. (Thus another reason that I am giving it the benefit of the doubt.)
Additionally, I had to stop comparing this book to McCullough's (which I still think is better) before I could write a decent review.
This author spent a lot of time on the social and cultural aspect of building the bridge which was absolutely fascinating. It did verge just a bit on the macabre with the descriptions of the death and distraction from disease and work-place accidents.
The author clearly did his research, a whole bunch by the looks/"listens" of each chapter. He definitely knows his stuff.
While he takes his time and sometimes too much gets included on the page, I definitely recommend this book.
petezilla's review
4.0
A solid narrative on the trials and tribulations of digging/building the Panama Canal. The author does not overly glamorize the experience nor shy away from highlighting the human cost and those that exploited them. He did an excellent job of weaving in personal narratives from workers who contributed at every level of the project. I learned quite a bit about both the history of this incredibly important waterway as well as why American intervention and projects are still viewed with incredible suspicion in Latin America today.
alexctelander's review
5.0
In this brilliant historical epic that rivals and in some ways exceeds David McCullough’s mighty tome, The Path Between the Seas, from the author of The Battle of Britain and Monte Cassino, Matthew Parker tells a tale that will not be ready lightly in Panama Fever. For those looking for a quick, short story about how the Panama Canal got built, turn away now. For those wanting to know how much back-breaking labor, how many lives were lost, how many companies and families were bankrupted, and how many countries were brought to both war and shame, Panama Fever is the book for you.
Divided into three large chunks, Parker begins at the absolute beginning with the discovery of American by Columbus and the original idea that was developed to create a passage across the narrowest part of Central America, providing access to the great Pacific Ocean. It wasn’t until centuries later that plans were begun to see about creating a canal through Central America, linking the two great oceans.
In the second part, “The French Tragedy,” readers learn that France was one of the first countries to begin an excavation in an attempt to create a canal. Organized and run by the great Frenchman, Ferdinand de Lesseps, who was already popular and famous after the successful and completion of the Suez Canal, the Panama Canal project was to be his life’s greatest work. His undoing lay in his demand that the canal be made all on one even level, which in reality was an impossibility. Thousands and thousands died from malaria or yellow fever, due to the swamps and ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, coupled with primitive medical techniques. Labor was imported from Jamaica, but the fever had no preference for skin color or class standing. The project was forced to stop and restart multiple times due to a combination of these factors, and the extreme cost and incorrectly predicted timeline.
In “The American Triumph,” President Theodore Roosevelt proclaims that an US-controlled Panama Canal was vital to American industry and to protect and defend the United States from attack. With Panama under Colombian control, Roosevelt instigated a coup – though profusely denied it – for Panamanian rebels to overthrow their Colombian rulers. Then the US went in, taking over Panama after lying to them about their proposed freedom, and work was begun on the canal which was finally completed in late 1913.
Panama Fever is a book that holds nothing back, giving all the gritty details, the body counts, the political slandering and corruption, as well as the amazing history of how this little canal became such a historical undertaking. Filled with numerous photos, illustrative maps, and diagrams where necessary, readers will feel satiated with knowledge about the Panama Canal and its historic albeit tainted creation.
For more reviews, check out the BookBanter site.
Divided into three large chunks, Parker begins at the absolute beginning with the discovery of American by Columbus and the original idea that was developed to create a passage across the narrowest part of Central America, providing access to the great Pacific Ocean. It wasn’t until centuries later that plans were begun to see about creating a canal through Central America, linking the two great oceans.
In the second part, “The French Tragedy,” readers learn that France was one of the first countries to begin an excavation in an attempt to create a canal. Organized and run by the great Frenchman, Ferdinand de Lesseps, who was already popular and famous after the successful and completion of the Suez Canal, the Panama Canal project was to be his life’s greatest work. His undoing lay in his demand that the canal be made all on one even level, which in reality was an impossibility. Thousands and thousands died from malaria or yellow fever, due to the swamps and ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, coupled with primitive medical techniques. Labor was imported from Jamaica, but the fever had no preference for skin color or class standing. The project was forced to stop and restart multiple times due to a combination of these factors, and the extreme cost and incorrectly predicted timeline.
In “The American Triumph,” President Theodore Roosevelt proclaims that an US-controlled Panama Canal was vital to American industry and to protect and defend the United States from attack. With Panama under Colombian control, Roosevelt instigated a coup – though profusely denied it – for Panamanian rebels to overthrow their Colombian rulers. Then the US went in, taking over Panama after lying to them about their proposed freedom, and work was begun on the canal which was finally completed in late 1913.
Panama Fever is a book that holds nothing back, giving all the gritty details, the body counts, the political slandering and corruption, as well as the amazing history of how this little canal became such a historical undertaking. Filled with numerous photos, illustrative maps, and diagrams where necessary, readers will feel satiated with knowledge about the Panama Canal and its historic albeit tainted creation.
For more reviews, check out the BookBanter site.
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