The Path Between the Seas
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 1977 |
| Founder | David McCullough |
| Products | Historical book |
| Owner | Simon & Schuster |
The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal, 1870–1914 (1977) is a historical work authored by American historian David McCullough and released by Simon & Schuster. This comprehensive 698-page publication features 80 photographs, two detailed maps, and an extensive bibliography. It has been honored with several distinguished awards, including the U.S. National Book Award for History, the Francis Parkman Prize, the Samuel Eliot Morison Award, and the Cornelius Ryan Award.
This volume narrates the individuals, locations, and significant events that contributed to the construction of the Panama Canal, emphasizing the vital link it established between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans upon its completion.
McCullough utilizes correspondence and interviews with those involved and their descendants to depict the personal struggles connected to the unsuccessful French attempt and its financial repercussions; the intricate diplomatic dealings between the United States and Colombia; as well as the political strategies that culminated in Panama’s independence. The book further delves into prominent figures and disputes during the American construction era, framed by formidable engineering obstacles and the canal’s long-appreciated economic significance.
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter acknowledged McCullough’s book as influential in securing Senate ratification of the Torrijos–Carter Treaties, which resulted in transferring control of the Canal to Panama. Carter remarked that during Senate discussions, this work was frequently referenced by both proponents and critics, highlighting its impartial and thorough historical analysis.
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- Accessible in PDF format and other digital versions.