The Great Bridge Audiobook By David McCullough cover art

The Great Bridge

The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge

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The Great Bridge

By: David McCullough
Narrated by: Edward Herrmann
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About this listen

First published in 1972, The Great Bridge is the classic account of one of the greatest engineering feats of all time: the building of the Brooklyn Bridge.

This monumental audiobook, which presents extended unabridged passages from the book, brings back a heroic vision of the America we once had. It is the enthralling story of one of the greatest events during the Age of Optimism, a period when Americans were convinced that all great things were possible.

In the years around 1870, the concept of building a great bridge to span the East River between the cities of Manhattan and Brooklyn required a vision and determination comparable to that which went into the building of the pyramids. Throughout the fourteen years of the bridge's construction, the odds against its successful completion seemed staggering. Bodies were crushed and broken, lives were lost, political empires fell, and surges of public emotion constantly threatened the project. But this is not merely the saga of an engineering miracle: it is a sweeping narrative of the heroes and rascals who had a hand in either constructing or obstructing this great enterprise.

©1972 David McCullough (P)2004 Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Americas Engineering State & Local United States
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Critic reviews

"The Great Bridge is a book so compelling and complete as to be a literary monument....McCullough has written that sort of work which brings us to the human center of the past." (Los Angeles Times)

What listeners say about The Great Bridge

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Fascinating Story Compelling Narrative Engrossing Tale Heroic Challenge Melodic Voice Entertaining Performance
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Great Book - Abridged POORLY

I would read and/or listen to anything David McCullough wrote - and I have. Edward Herrmann
is one of the best narrators.
Why did Audible do such a poor job of abridging this fine work? It goes along for a while and then
is chopped up and reworded and has a change of narrator.
I'll just go back to reading the "Real" book. The Audible edition is very disappointing.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A must for any architect or engineet

An absolutely monumental and spanning history of the building of the Brooklyn Bridge. A wonderful text for any student of architecture, engineering or the postbellum United States.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

David McCullough stands alone in making history bo

What did you love best about The Great Bridge?

The detail and nuances of building such a monumental structure, told in a very informative and entertaining way.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Great Bridge?

The political maneuvering to get the bridge built.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It made me want to drive a little further to see what was going to develop in the next chapter!

Any additional comments?

David McCullough is simply an excellent writer.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

first rate

Terrific story of the Brooklyn Bridge...from idea through completion. Along with the histrionics of the project, you get a firm understanding of how the bridge works, and why it is still going strong after over a hundred years.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Audiobooks can't get better than this

The writing of David McCullough is great by itself. But, when paired with the melodic voice of Edward Hermann, the audio experience is at its best.

McCullough's narrative is an excellent and descriptive telling of this important story. An added benefit of this particular book is that McCullough sets the bridge into its broader historic context by mentioning other events contemporary to it.

Again, and I can't emphasize this enough, audiobooks cannot get better than this.


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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

REAL History

AS someone born in Brooklyn, long after the bridge was finished - the history of the building of the Brooklyn Bridge was riveting!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A great story of heroic perseverance.

Absolutely one of MacCullough's best. I really was amazed by the account of the great caissons.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding book!

Anyone interested in 19th century American history, leadership themes or the development of technology should listen to this book. It's brilliant. McCullogh is amazing in his ability to put the reader in a place in the past.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Extremely enjoyable

Fascinating book about the engineering that went into the bridge and also the history of the time it was built. Wonderful narration

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Magnificent

This wonderful author has been my companion for years and years. A truly masterful work.

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