THE VITAL LINK: The Story of the Sucz Canal

by Burt Hirschfeld ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 22, 1968

De Lesseps' determination and his cast of thousands (reminiscent of Mike Todd dramatics) with changing alliances and round-robin hostilities. Substantiated by quotations from contemporary reports. Hirschfeld traces the route from idea to reality in defiance of international skepticism; setbacks due to epidemics and diminishing interests; also shortages of drinking-water, labor and finances. Mohammed Said appears as a macaroni-lover, won over in boyhood by de Lesseps' generous helpings, in manhood by his unceasing persuasion. Farouk snoozes through the coup, has no alternative to abdication when he awakes. Nasser replaces Naguib, learns slowly the problems of Egypt, ultimately denies Israel access to the nationalized canal in 1967 then loses in six days both power and prestige. Competent, frequently dramatic marshalling of information with emphasis on political rather than engineering principals; good reading, even without the pictorial flamboyance of the Horizon Building the Suez Canal, and more complete on post-construction history.

Pub Date: April 22, 1968

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Messner

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1968

Categories: NONFICTION