GOLDEN GATE: BIOGRAPHY OF A BRIDGE

by Allen Brown ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 14, 1965

With Gay Talese's record of the Verrazano Narrows bridge abuilding, recently out, and Alex Trachtenberg's Brooklyn Bridge to be published in May, Allen Brown's history of the Golden Gate bridge is definitely in season. From the days when J.A. Norton, Merchant, later affectionately accepted as Norton I, Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico, first thought of bridging the Golden Gate, to the present when the bridge is highly desirable property, there runs a long story of high aims, high finance, high endeavor. With Joseph B. Strauss as chief engineer, after receiving the legal go- ahead and the wherewithal by taxes accepted by referendum, after the silencing of ferry and redwood interests, the builders broke ground on February 26, 1933. The bridge was born, opening officially, on May 28, 1937, at the cost of $30,000,000 and eleven lives (far fewer than expected in that period--Strauss' safety net saved some nineteen lives). Since, the elimination of competition, the reinforcements required to save the bridge, the toll-taking, stunts and suicides form a part of the story of the glorious span. Mr. Brown's prose does not reflect the glitter of his subject, and this will probably remain mainly regional in interest.

Pub Date: May 14, 1965

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Doubleday

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1965

Categories: NONFICTION