Book Analysis of The Path Between the Seas
Lulu Stevens
HST 143
Dr. Quirk
10/26/14
The Path Between the Seas By: David Mccullough
David McCullough’s The Path Between Seas was printed in New York City, New York in the year 1977. The events regarding the Panama Canal as discussed in David McCullough’s The Path Between Seas allowed an impressive assertion of American power--the likes of which had never before been displayed. In it’s rich history, this novel offers recollections of failure on France’s part, American strength overcoming Columbian resistance, and triumphant success of medical care and engineering. During the late 1800s, France was an undeniable force in the engineering world. It would turn out, however, that America was the country which would succeed in constructing the marvelous Panama Canal. The location was chosen as a means of joining the Atlantic and Pacific oceans--an action that was sure to open up new trade opportunities by limiting sail time and difficulties for men of the sea. It proved to be a sluggish effort from the get-go, much to the French’s distaste, as locating the optimal digging location proved to be no easy feat.
Led by the French hero, Ferdinand de Lesseps, the French force was incorrectly instructed that a sea level canal--as opposed to a lock-system--was the optimal canal to construct in Panama. Although they also received intel from the Americans who, due to a sum of time spent constructing railroads in Panama, were familiar with the local climate, this information was completely disregarded by the French. Similarly, word of the potentially fatal diseases that were extremely common to the area such as yellow fever and malaria were blatantly ignored by Ferdinand de Lesseps. De Lesseps seemed prone to feigning ignorance in regards to other issues of import as well. Budget restrictions and engineering limitations, for instance, were forgotten, regardless of the fact that they came from within his own crew.
De Lesseps, however, did manage
HST 143
Dr. Quirk
10/26/14
The Path Between the Seas By: David Mccullough
David McCullough’s The Path Between Seas was printed in New York City, New York in the year 1977. The events regarding the Panama Canal as discussed in David McCullough’s The Path Between Seas allowed an impressive assertion of American power--the likes of which had never before been displayed. In it’s rich history, this novel offers recollections of failure on France’s part, American strength overcoming Columbian resistance, and triumphant success of medical care and engineering. During the late 1800s, France was an undeniable force in the engineering world. It would turn out, however, that America was the country which would succeed in constructing the marvelous Panama Canal. The location was chosen as a means of joining the Atlantic and Pacific oceans--an action that was sure to open up new trade opportunities by limiting sail time and difficulties for men of the sea. It proved to be a sluggish effort from the get-go, much to the French’s distaste, as locating the optimal digging location proved to be no easy feat.
Led by the French hero, Ferdinand de Lesseps, the French force was incorrectly instructed that a sea level canal--as opposed to a lock-system--was the optimal canal to construct in Panama. Although they also received intel from the Americans who, due to a sum of time spent constructing railroads in Panama, were familiar with the local climate, this information was completely disregarded by the French. Similarly, word of the potentially fatal diseases that were extremely common to the area such as yellow fever and malaria were blatantly ignored by Ferdinand de Lesseps. De Lesseps seemed prone to feigning ignorance in regards to other issues of import as well. Budget restrictions and engineering limitations, for instance, were forgotten, regardless of the fact that they came from within his own crew.
De Lesseps, however, did manage