First published in 1972, the great bridge is the classic account of one of the greatest engineering feats of all time. In his book the great bridge, author david mccullough writes that the construction took the lives of 21 men, most of them immigrants. The story of painters on the brooklyn bridge, a classic. Fourteen of walker evanss evocative photographs of brooklyn bridge, most of which have never been published, appear in this edition of alan trachenbergs brooklyn bridge. In 2008, the one hundred and twenty fifth anniversary of the bridge was celebrated. The building of brooklyn bridge how the brooklyn bridge. It took more than a decade to build, cost the life of its designer, and was constantly criticized by skeptics who predicted the entire structure was going to collapse into new yorks east river. The construction of the williamsburg bridge history. The brooklyn bridge rose out of the expansive era following the civ. This monumental book tells the enthralling story of one of the greatest accomplishments in our nations history, the building of what was then the longest suspension bridge in the world. In the 19th century, the brooklyn bridge was viewed as the greatest engineering feat of mankind.
The bridge first opened to traffic in 1909, eight years after construction started. The epic story of the building of the brooklyn bridge 2002 youtube. The epic story of the building of the brooklyn bridge link read online download. In his account to the brooklyn eagle, martin detailed the accidental deaths of 27 workers, although master mechanic e. This monumental book tells the enthralling story of one of the greatest accomplishments in our nations history, the building of what was then the. A bridge that made new york city what it is today brooklyn bridge. The epic story of the building of the brooklyn bridge 2002. The brooklyn bridge rose out of the expansive era following the civil war, when americans believed all things were possible. The building of brooklyn bridge how the brooklyn bridge was.
Its easily the best book on the brooklyn bridge and ultimately one of the best books on new york city history. The bridge that would be called the williamsburg bridge was started in 1896 when brooklyn was an independent city and completed in 1903 when brooklyn was part of greater new york. The epic story of the building of the brooklyn bridge from the worlds largest community of readers. Great bridge the epic story of the building of the brooklyn bridge. The epic story of the building of the brooklyn bridge kindle edition by mccullough, david. Brooklyn bridge presidents history building historia buildings history activities construction. This reputation was undoudbtedly built based on classics like the great bridge, written in 1972.
It connected the great cities of brooklyn and new york for the first time in history. The brooklyn bridge turned 125 years old on may 24th, which means its time for you to read the great bridge. The brooklyn bridge is a tribute to innovation, belief and strength of the men, from a variety of backgrounds who lived in that era and made the building of the brooklyn bridge a reality. The brooklyn bridge, which connects the new york city boroughs of brooklyn and manhattan, was constructed between 18691883 and spans 1,595 feet. The opening of the brooklyn bridge was an extremely grand affair that was held on may 24, 1883. Roebling, the designer of the bridge, went through with his son washington roebling to bring the bridge to its completion. Jan 01, 1972 the great bridge was david mcculloughs second. To highlight the brooklyn bridge s cultural status, the city proposed building a brooklyn bridge museum near the bridge s brooklyn end in the 1970s. Winning acclaim for its comprehensive look at the building of the brooklyn. The epic story of the building of the brooklyn bridge the great bridge. 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. It provides a history of the engineering that went into the building of the bridge as well as the toils john a. What makes this history very readable, though, are the personal stories revealed.
The structure provided a link between the massive population centers of manhattan and brooklyn and changed the skyline of new york city forever. Building the brooklyn bridge, 1871 eyewitness to history. The epic story of the building of the brooklyn bridge mccullough, david on. His work had never appeared in a gallery until 2007, almost 65 years after his death. As such, it was given special governmental protection. The epic story of the building of the brooklyn bridge, published by simon and schuster. This is an engaging history of the building of the brooklyn bridge. The only book on the brooklyn bridge you need to read.
The 1980s brought about the metro tech center, a highrise development in downtown brooklyn, the brooklyn philharmonic, and the beginnings of the brooklyn bridge park. This is a simple and easy to use lesson plan for teaching about industrialization or the development of new york. With the building of the williamsburg bridge in 1903, thousands of lower east side residents who were living in tenements crossed the river to a better life in williamsburg. The epic story of the building of the brooklyn bridge 2001 ment, david.
The contemplated work, when constructed in accordance with my design, will not only be the greatest bridge in existence, but it will be the great engineering work of the continent and of the age. But the story of the building of the brooklyn bridge is not just the saga of an engineering miracle. The bridgelater dubbed the brooklyn bridge, a name that stuckwent on to become one of the most iconic landmarks in new york. Sep 16, 2019 of all the engineering advances in the 1800s, the brooklyn bridge stands out as perhaps the most famous and most remarkable.
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. The epic story of the building of the brooklyn bridge pdf epub book. The only book on the brooklyn bridge you need to read esquire. The brooklyn bridge became a postal road for the conveyance of mail. Washington roebling, the man who built the brooklyn bridge for an indepth conversation with fellow writer kevin baker about the roeblings, the building of the brooklyn bridge, and the making of modern new york. 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 book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 608 pages and is available in hardcover format. As a critical infrastructure controlling a river between two important strategic ports and financial centers, the brooklyn bridge was also a military stronghold. Of all the engineering advances in the 1800s, the brooklyn bridge stands out as perhaps the most famous and most remarkable. The bridge was one of the greatest engineering feats of its time.
The brooklyn bridge has inspired more poetry than any other bridge in history. President chester arthur and mayor of new york franklin edson crossed the bridge to cannon fire, music, fireworks, and cheers. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. An epilog completes the book so you know what happens to the central characters in the years after the bridge is completed. 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. 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. The bridge is newer than the brooklyn bridge and the williamsburg bridge, the other. The book describes the 1869 to 1883 project to build.
While our sites are closed, we invite you to take advantage of our many virtual offerings. 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. Brooklyn bridge park closed off its public courts and recreational equipment on pier 2. The bridges designer, john roebling, died in a freak accident as he was surveying the location of the bridges brooklyn tower in 1869 and the task of turning his design into reality fell to his son, washington. A comparative cross section of bridge at middle of span 1883 and 1933. Farrington estimated the number could be as high as 40. An overview of the construction of the brooklyn bridge done in a ken burns style. The great bridge book by david mccullough official. Published on the fortieth anniversary of its initial publicatio. Join erica wagner, author of the new biography chief engineer. Its one of new york citys most iconic structures, right up there with the empire state building and the statue of liberty. The book goes into great detail about the bridge itself.
Proposals for a bridge connecting manhattan and brooklyn were first made in the early 19th century, which eventually led to the construction of the current span, designed by john a. Building the brooklyn bridge, in graphic detail the new. The epic story of the building of the brooklyn bridge by david mccullough. The history of brooklyn bridge is told in a factual sequence consisting of a series of short facts providing a simple method of relating the history and events of the brooklyn bridge. The first objective was to securely anchor the bridges two towers on the solid bedrock found under the layers of mud below the east. Manhattan bridge, suspension bridge over the east river connecting southeastern manhattan with western brooklyn in new york city.
Jan 06, 2014 an overview of the construction of the brooklyn bridge done in a ken burns style. Cross section brooklyn bridge taj mahal middle tours river history building historia. 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. Roebling died as a result of an accident at the outset, and his son, washington roebling, after taking over as chief engineer, suffered a crippling attack of decompression sickness caisson disease. Brooklyn navy yard 19661986, the yard was still a shipyard not an industrial park robbins, michael w. Engineering marvel of its time and important stepstone in the history of bridge design.
Manhattan bridge bridge, new york city, new york, united. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the great bridge. The story of the brooklyn bridge endeavors to stay very close to the facts. The permissions process developed for the american railroads was helpful in building the brooklyn bridge. The bridge s designer, john roebling, died in a freak accident as he was surveying the location of the bridge s brooklyn tower in 1869 and the task of turning his design into reality fell to his son, washington. Herein, the reader is exposed to spectactular writing and research that not only covers the planning and building of the brooklyn bridge, but indeed a history of the gilded age in new york city. David mccullough, author, edward herrmann, read by, read by. But theres been plenty of history, and secrets, along the way.
Though the museum was ultimately not constructed, the plans had been established after numerous original planning documents were found in williamsburg. History of williamsburg brooklyn like a local tours. Building the brooklyn bridge of all the engineering advances in the 1800s, the brooklyn bridge stands out as perhaps the most famous and most remarkable. Brooklyn bridge in 5 minutes video worksheetthis video worksheet allows students to learn about the creation and building of the brooklyn bridge during the late 1800s. Tomasi has the fervor of an evangelist in discussing the laborers and engineers responsible for the brooklyn bridge. 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. However, there are some changes necessary including additions and omissions.
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. In this outstanding book, mccullough tells that taleof how the bridge came to be built from 1869 to 1883 and of the extraordinary difficulties. Beyond exhaustively chronicling the political and social events over the fourteen years it took to build the bridge. Brooklyn historical society makes the vibrant history of brooklyn tangible, meaningful, and relevant today. May 27, 2008 the brooklyn bridge turned 125 years old on may 24th, which means its time for you to read the great bridge. Brooklyn bridge facts and history of brooklyn bridge. In the new afterword trachenberg explores the history of hart cranes the bridge, especially the poems integral relationship with the powerful photography of evans. The span was originally called the new york and brooklyn bridge or the east river bridge but was officially renamed the brooklyn bridge in 1915. Winning acclaim for its comprehensive look at the building of the brooklyn bridge, this book helped cement david mcculloughs reputation as americas. This monumental book tells the enthralling story of one of the greatest accomplishments in our nation s history, the building of what was then the lon. It is throughly researched, and is not only a history of the building of the brooklyn bridge, but also the politics that enabled and hindered that accomplishment and a history of the times. This book takes the form of a long poem spanning eight parts, beginning with an ode proem. Spanning 483 meters 1,595 ft across the east river and 1,814 meters 5,989 ft in total, the brooklyn bridge is a testament to 19thcentury engineering even today, those gigantic pillars, 84 meters 276 ft tall above the water, are an impressive sight. The masterwork of john augustus roebling, the brooklyn bridge was built 186983 in the face of immense difficulties.
In 1966, the brooklyn navy yard closes and becomes new yorks first landmarked historic district. Brooklyn bridge, suspension bridge spanning the east river from brooklyn to manhattan in new york city. The first objective was to securely anchor the bridge s two towers on the solid bedrock found under the layers of mud below the east. The roeblingsfather and sontoiled for decades, fighting. You can find out more facts about brooklyn bridge here. The first edition of the novel was published in january 1st 1972, and was written by david mccullough. The epic story of the building of the brooklyn bridge.
The epic story of the building of the brooklyn bridge, if you havent already. 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. 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. New york bridge, brooklyn bridge, bridge construction, under construction, black n white images, black and white, photo new york, world icon, vintage new york the word that has became synonymous with decompression disease, bends, was first used during the building of new yorks brooklyn bridge.