I picked this up in a used book store purely based on having read another book by the author before and having no interest in the Panama Canal whatsoever to be honest. What I can say now is that I have a great interest in the Panama Canal and if I come across another book on the topic I'll pick it up without hesitation and undoubtedly be disappointed by it as I can't imagine it measuring up to the one written by David McCullough.

Split into 3 vast sections the author manages to weave a clear narrative throughout the whole book and in the sections themselves. Like in the best novels one becomes invested in the characters involved and empathizes with their struggles, all of the characters are vivid and varied never feeling like full heroes or villains, the difference here being that I can go visit plenty of them in local cemeteries.

Beyond the brilliant prose it is clearly well researched. The amount of detail and sources is truly immense and I can’t imagine the amount of work that went into this book. Whenever I see anything by David McCullough I’ll pick it up even if, especially if in fact, I have no interest in the topic, and if at any time I have the chance to take a ship through Panama you bet I will and this book will be coming with me.