Amnorix
03-07-2006, 11:42 AM
Random recommendation for a book -- the Path Between the Seas, by David McCullough. I'm only on page 87, but it's quite good and promises to get even better.
One very interesting fact -- the FRENCH built the Suez Canal, but then the stock ownership was bought out by the British. Then the French organized and started digging the Panama Canal! They did so despite having done damn little homework on the matter, whereas the Americans, who had done quite alot of homework, were recommending a canal through Nicaragua!
Ultimately, it appears the French project went bankrupt or somesuch, and the Americans took over and completed the canal they had started. I'm not "there yet", but it appears that's how it all turned out.
Anyway, lots of stuff in here. And McCullough is very "readable" as always.
Oh, and in other news -- didja hear that Kirby Puckett DIED!!
One very interesting fact -- the FRENCH built the Suez Canal, but then the stock ownership was bought out by the British. Then the French organized and started digging the Panama Canal! They did so despite having done damn little homework on the matter, whereas the Americans, who had done quite alot of homework, were recommending a canal through Nicaragua!
Ultimately, it appears the French project went bankrupt or somesuch, and the Americans took over and completed the canal they had started. I'm not "there yet", but it appears that's how it all turned out.
Anyway, lots of stuff in here. And McCullough is very "readable" as always.
Oh, and in other news -- didja hear that Kirby Puckett DIED!!