The Path Between the Seas Book Report Essay

Words: 1527
Pages: 7

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
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As no agreement could be reached between the two governments, the U.S. found a different means of handling the situation. In the shadows, the United States had sided with the Panamanian revolutionists and started a revolt that birthed a new nation. The new Republic of Panama had no issue with America’s treaty and it was ratified only 3 days after the new country’s first president came into office. Even so, it may have granted more rights to the U.S. than Panama thought.
The particular bureaucracy formed by the Isthmian Canal Council proved to be a pain to the project’s chief engineer, John Findley Wallace. Little was accomplished as a result of the system devised to prevent the misuse of funds; approval for even the most basic exercises sometimes could not be obtained for months. Even without regards to the immense hoards of paper involved, Wallace didn’t truly care for the canal project, and, thus, he provided very little support. Conditions at the worksite often scared potential workers off immediately. Panic swept the public after this chief engineer formally resigned in late June of 1905. Luckily, another soul was up to the task.
Although it is true that James Hill admittedly loathed the president in power as well as the canal he aimed to build, he did feel that a certain man was up to the task. John Stevens was, upon suggestion, assigned the job. One of his first actions was assisting Gorgas in his