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Describes the planning and building of the Panama Canal.

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School Library Journal Review

Gr 5 Up‘Dubbed the Eighth Wonder of the World, the Panama Canal was a project of colossal proportions. The French were the first to attempt to build it in the late 1800s. When this effort failed, Theodore Roosevelt pushed for the United States to build one. McNeese describes in detail the great effort that was required to complete this project, from the political conniving to the physical construction of the canal itself. Historical black-and-white photographs illustrate this monumental venture. Occasional sidebars offer additional information on various aspects of Panama Canal history. The discussion ends with the cancellation of the festivities to celebrate the completion of the canal due to the beginning of World War I in Europe, although a short epilogue covers subsequent years. Carl R. Oliver's Panama's Canal (Watts, 1990; o.p.) has more coverage of this later period. Nancy Winslow Parker's Locks, Crocs, & Skeeters (Greenwillow, 1996) is a good resource for younger readers. McNeese's title is a solid choice for libraries wanting to provide support for research reports.‘Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Booklist Review

Gr. 5^-8. With an emphasis on the political issues and machinations involved, Lindop's straightforward account traces relationships between Panama and the U.S. from the building of the waterway to Panama's uneasy present. Lindop is especially good in sketching the modern-day history, particularly the actions of the ironfisted Gen. Omar Torrijos (though the author glosses over some of Torrijos' excesses) and the brutality of dictator Manuel Noriega, who today sits in a U.S. prison. The chapter notes and bibliography can lead to more information McNeese, on the other hand, focuses on the building of the canal, providing much more depth in his treatment of that era. As is usual for books in the Building History series, he looks not only at the actual construction but also at the social and political issues and the major achievements of individuals involved. Sidebars add interesting details, whether they be how racism was practiced, how food was provided for workers, or how the canal's locks work. The list of books for further reading is weak, but the works consulted will be helpful to researchers. Panama, like Hong Kong, is in the news as the date for a turnover of the operation of the canal fast approaches; these two books will work well in tandem or on their own for report writers looking for a timely topic. --Sally Estes