Uncool History - The Great Bridge

Jeff's Uncool history series continues with a look at the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge.

"The Great Bridge" by David McCullough.

When I was doing a lot of traveling for work I once had a gig at one of the main Verizon buildings in Manhattan. For those of you who don't know, that building is quite literally at the end of the Brooklyn Bridge. I was so happening to be staying at the Brooklyn Marriott at the other end of the bridge. So I walked across the bridge everyday to work the whole week I was working at Verizon.

The Verizon building is visible to the right of the
tower (above, notice the Verizon logo on the building)
right at the end of the bridge.

Anyway, between fighting off muggers (another post) I became pretty fascinated by this bridge.

"The Great Bridge" is the definitive history of the construction of this bridge. The story of the Roebling's (who designed and built the bridge) to Boss Tweed and the shenanigans that went into the whole thing. Plus, it was downright dangerous work...

Another must-read if you are interested in the history of New York. This is nice slice of life if you have any interest in 1870's NYC.