The Great Bridge - Finished
Just finished David McCullough's The Great Bridge. It was ... fine. I picked it up because I wanted a quick, end of summer read --> and also because McCullough had literally just died and I thought it would be a nice tribute. Parts of the book were straight fascinating. Discussion of the technology used as well as the sections that sought to give insight into LIFE and the American people of the time were spot on as one would expect from the great McCullough. Other parts, particularly the parts about local and state politics were much less stellar. Still, it was a good, quick (ish) end of summer read and if you do NOT want to read it here are some take-aways worth taking away--->
The bridge was designed in the 1850s and construction began in 1869 and finished in 1883. As of when the book was written it was estimated that the Brooklyn bridge would last forever as long as it was painted every 5 years.
The people in charge of building the bridge included a board of both Brooklyners as well as New Yorkers. Politics aside, New Yorkers were NOT super pumped about the bridge.
20 men died in the 14 years it took to build the bridge
The Chief Engineer was basically confined to his home after contracting Caisson's Disease and it was his wife who was the first to cross the bridge when it was finished -- he never got to step foot on it!
President Chester Arthur attended the bridge ceremony and people were the MOST excited to see him in person because the papers at the time described him as the "perfect man"
I believe one of my ancestors may have been the first to pay the 1cent toll to cross the bridge from the Brooklyn side.
Anyway --> you should read it.