Super Short Summary

The Path Between the Seas by David McCullough details the challenging construction of the Panama Canal from 1870 to 1914, encompassing the initial French efforts under Ferdinand de Lesseps, who faced extreme geological and health obstacles, to the eventual American involvement led by President Roosevelt. The book highlights the enduring vision and relentless labor needed to overcome immense technical, financial, and political barriers to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Topics include life-threatening working conditions and the impact of diseases such as malaria and yellow fever.