PANAMA CANAL: Gateway to the World

A thoroughly researched, detailed account of the planning and building of the Panama Canal, which the author describes as ""a living monument to its builders, to their engineering genius, to their victory over disease, but most of all, to the dedication and courage of their human spirit."" Along with enough technical detail to satisfy budding engineers, St. George's lucid explanations also make the process of construction comprehensible to more general readers. With its unvarnished look at the racist treatment of workers and Panamanians by the US government, the Panama Canal Company, and the Panama Canal Commission, the book also provides insight into the continuing conflicts between the US and Panama--from Roosevelt's ""gunboat diplomacy"" intervention in 1903 to the present. A fine piece of technical writing and political analysis--all in the accessible, cheerful, no-nonsense style made popular by Jean Fritz. St. George appends an extensive bibliography of her sources; the book is to include 60 historical photos and an index.