The Path Between the Seas

Soooo long. Mr. McCullough gives me the impression that he's incapable of deciding which bits are important from a narrative standpoint.

This 1977 book was a very through telling of the whole adventure from the French failure, the sea-level vs lock debates, the health issues including malaria, yellow-fever science and treatment to the race issues. This all in addition to the construction/engineering details.

A fascinating bit of history, but less engaging that some of his other books. I think the reason it's less engaging is because it lacks a single, central figure who drove the entire project. Sure, there are a handful of notables and each are interesting and exciting in their own ways, but they aren't a team and they don't span the entire story.

EVEN STILL, McCullough delivers again. Well-composed. Interesting. Astonishing. Very worth reading.

Does a great job of giving detail without going too deep and stalling forward momentum.

I'm glad I read this because I knew very little of the history. I want to see these locks so checked out YouTube and there are mentions of

• 1 upgrade in 2015 [I've heard on the news recently another upgrade is about to be done],
• 2 or 3 other cross-isthmus channels being done to take on some of the demand [and money], and
• decline in rain to the area has impacted the number and size of ships, as well as how much cargo can be carried thru.

Maybe a new chapter should be added to include all these big changes.

Well worth the read.