2008 Woodie Awards
The Panama Canal: Financial and Human Cost
Timothy Baghurst
Issue date: 3/28/08 Section: Life & Style
The Panama Canal has been long recognized as one of the greatest engineering achievements the world has ever seen. In Matthew Parker's "Panama Fever," readers are taken through its history, from its early conception hundreds of years ago to its modern day dilemmas.
Developing a route between the Pacific and Atlantic has been a topic of conversation for centuries. It wasn't until the successful completion of the Suez Canal that it was truly believed to be a possibility. Initially privately funded, a French consortium began construction in the late 18th Century. However, after several years it became apparent that countless of millions of dollars had been wasted in the effort. Thousands of lives also fell prey to malaria, yellow fever, poor sanitation and accidents.
Its failure devastated the French, and they were quick to off-load the construction rights to anyone willing to provide them with the possibility of recouping some of their lost investment. Seizing the opportunity, the U.S. government took over the responsibility of completing the canal in highly controversial circumstances that was necessary. With superior technology, a greater effort to control disease and the backing of a government, the Panama Canal was successfully opened in 1914, which coincided almost exactly with the commencement of World War I.
This was a fascinating account described by Parker, and he should be commended for making a 560-page text highly readable and enjoyable as he combines historical detail, about the working conditions, racism within the event, and combating the rampant disease and infection. The result provides readers with a deeper appreciation of the magnitude of the effort and the financial and human cost of such a feat.
Developing a route between the Pacific and Atlantic has been a topic of conversation for centuries. It wasn't until the successful completion of the Suez Canal that it was truly believed to be a possibility. Initially privately funded, a French consortium began construction in the late 18th Century. However, after several years it became apparent that countless of millions of dollars had been wasted in the effort. Thousands of lives also fell prey to malaria, yellow fever, poor sanitation and accidents.
Its failure devastated the French, and they were quick to off-load the construction rights to anyone willing to provide them with the possibility of recouping some of their lost investment. Seizing the opportunity, the U.S. government took over the responsibility of completing the canal in highly controversial circumstances that was necessary. With superior technology, a greater effort to control disease and the backing of a government, the Panama Canal was successfully opened in 1914, which coincided almost exactly with the commencement of World War I.
This was a fascinating account described by Parker, and he should be commended for making a 560-page text highly readable and enjoyable as he combines historical detail, about the working conditions, racism within the event, and combating the rampant disease and infection. The result provides readers with a deeper appreciation of the magnitude of the effort and the financial and human cost of such a feat.
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