Colossus is a detailed and vividly written study destined to be the standard history for decades to come. I always wondered how a dam could be built for such a raging. Prowling the bowels of hoover dam mountain town news. Colossus by michael hiltzik as breathtaking today as when it was completed, hoover dam ranks among americas most aweinspiring, if dubious.
Hoover dam and the making of the american century hardcover by michael hiltzik. Hunched down, i made my way toward the glint of sunshine. Hoover dam and the making of the american century chronicles how visionaries, politicians, engineers and an army of dedicated workmen fought seemingly impossible odds to tame one wild american riverthe mighty colorado. It held that title less than a decade after its completion in 1936, and before long its 726 feet will not even rank in the top 20. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Michael a hiltzik the author of dealers of lightning pens an account of the epic construction of the hoover dam, one of the 20th centurys most important public works. Hoover dam and the making of the american century by. Hoover dam and the making of the american century from the worlds largest community of readers. He joins me by phone, and michael hiltzik, thank you. In his new book, colossus, journalist michael hiltzik follows the construction of the hoover dam, from initial political battles waged in washington to the engineering projects designed for the. Hoover dam and the making of the american century is aptly named, especially when you hit an early chapter about the meetings herbert.
Hoover dam is a compelling, irresistible account of an extraordinary american epic. Hoover dam and the making of the american century while sitting on ottomans and a couch in the atrium of the royal house. Jones, about supercomputers taking control of mankind. When we arrived, piped in music made it difficult to talk and be heard, but the staff graciously turned down the volume for us. Hiltzik seems to make absolutely no mention of the environmental impact of the dam. The yelp book club misti started has been something i look forward to when we meet every other month. As breathtaking today as the day it was completed, hoover dam not only shaped the american west but helped launch the american century. An american adventure 1988, but hiltzik gives it his own spin. Read an excerpt as breathtaking today as when it was completed, hoover dam ranks among americas most aweinspiring, if dubious, achievements. The parade of grim particulars might make colossus a depressing read were it not for the vigor of hiltziks prose and the lively gallery of individual portraits and anecdotes that convey a wonderfully textured sense of what it was like to work on hoover dam.
He wrote details of the dam building and makes the scenes come alive. Colossus is a 1966 science fiction novel by british author dennis feltham jones writing as d. Michael hiltzik s colossus, about the construction of the hoover dam, is a welcome reminder of the engineering genius that built america. A scene from the long and arduous process that created hoover dam on the colorado river in the 1930s. Hoover dam didnt reign long as the tallest dam in the world. Colossus is more than just the story of hoover dam. Colossus book by michael hiltzik official publisher. Colossus book by michael hiltzik official publisher page simon.
As breathtaking today as the day it was completed, hoover dam not only sh. The hoover dam at 75 when the hoover dam was finished in 1935, it was three times larger than any other dam on the planet. This is my fourth book about the hoover dam and this by far is the best and the information is correct. Colossus tells an important part of the story of americas struggle to pull itself out of the great depression by harnessing the power of its population and its natural resources. It begins decades before anyone even thought of damming the. The author of dealers of lightning pens an account of the epic construction of the hoover dam, one of the 20th centurys most important public works. The turbulent, thrilling saga of the building of hoover dam paperback by michael hiltzik. The story of the building of boulder re hoover dam. Author michael hiltzik exposes the tremendous hardships and accomplishments of the men on the groundand in the airwho built the dam and the demonic drive of frank crow, the boss. His books include big science, the new deal, colossus, dealers of lightning, and the plot against social security.
In the depths of the great depression it became a symbol of. Colossus hardcover hoover dam and the making of the american century. The las vegas yelp book club had a spirited discussion of michael hiltziks book colossus. A lengthy, workmanlike book, colossus focuses on the politics that led to the government contract and the construction of the dam, much the.
Details the construction and lasting impact of the hoover dam, highlighting its role as a symbol of resiliance in the depths of the crisis of the great depression, and discussing the contributions of the politicians, designers, and builders responsible for the project. The turbulent, thrilling saga of the building of hoover dam by hiltzik, michael isbn. Hoover dam, was an interesting read about this marvelous engineering project. This story was ably told in joseph stevens hoover dam. Hoover dam and the making of the american century book average rating. The books final chapter notes the alarming rate of diminution in recent years of lake mead, the huge reservoir created by hoover dam now. Colossus hoover dam and the making of the american century book. Hiltzik marvelously captures the times of the hoover dam. Hoover dam, was an interesting read about this marvelous. Hoover dam and the making of the american century by michael a. Do yourself a favor, go visit the hoover dam and take the tour because there is not enough dam building in colossus. Two sequels, the fall of colossus 1974 and colossus and the crab 1977 continued the story.
Colossus hoover dam and the making of the american century. The definitive account of the epic construction of the hoover dam, one of the the twentieth centurys most consequential public works. Colossus the turbulent, thrilling saga of the building of hoover dam by michael hiltzik. I cant remembered if the author explained the height and the width on the hoover dam.
Pulitzer prizewinning author michael hiltziks colossus. I knew that it was named after herbert hoover, but now know that he was on a committee that. Hoover dam and the making of the american century is a fascinating read, authoritatively researched, and made very personal by author michael hiltzik, who tells stories of the personalities involved in the dam construction project, from presidents to wage laborers. As breathtaking today as when it was completed, hoover dam ranks among americas most aweinspiring, if dubious, achievements. How has hoover dam impacted growth of american west. Colossus also covers ground that steven largely ignored, such as how congress came to authorize the boulder canyon project act. I had heard of hoover dam but now know much more about it. Hoover dam and lake mead was massive undertaking to provide storage to lower basin states. Michael hiltziks colossus reconstructs the monumental. I wanted to know more about how the concrete cures, blowing up the side of the mountain and so on, but instead i heard about politics. The turbulent, thrilling saga of the building of hoover dam is a story of water, engineering, politics, surging development and the living and working conditions of the labor force. In the depths of the great depression it became a symbol of american.
915 86 533 869 1198 572 603 1494 1508 1287 262 397 777 1171 822 380 1210 1393 166 79 1055 230 463 45 970 1309 392 506 1444 1371 231 433 1039 1130 1301