The George Washington Bridge: Poetry in SteelSince opening in 1931, the George Washington Bridge, linking New York and New Jersey, has become the busiest bridge in the world, with 108 million vehicles crossing it in 2007. Many people also consider it the most beautiful bridge in the world, yet remarkably little has been written about this majestic structure. Intimate and engaging, Michael Rockland's rich narrative presents perspectives on the GWB, as it is often called, that span history, architecture, engineering, transportation, design, the arts, politics, and even post-9/11 mentality. Stunning archival photos, from the late 1920s when the bridge was built through the present, are a powerful complement to the bridge's history. Rockland covers the competition between the GWB and the Brooklyn Bridge that parallels the rivalry between New Jersey and New York City. Readers will learn about the Swiss immigrant Othmar Ammann, an unsung hero who designed and built the GWB, and how a lack of funding during the Depression dictated the iconic, uncovered steel beams of its towers, which we admire today. There are chapters discussing accidents on the bridge, such as an airplane crash landing in the westbound lanes and the sad story of suicides off its span; the appearance of the bridge in media and the arts; and Rockland's personal adventures on the bridge, including scaling its massive towers on a cable. Movies, television shows, songs, novels, countless images, and even PlayStation 2 games have aided the GWB in becoming a part of the global popular culture. This tribute will captivate residents living in the shadow of the GWB, the millions who walk, jog, bike, skate, or drive across it, as well as tourists and those who will visit it some day.
|
What people are saying - Write a review
Strong Bridge, Weak Book
User Review - MogilyFruh - BordersThis is not a great book. If you are a New York history buff, or bridge enthusiast check it out of the library instead. But otherwise I think you will be disappointed. My apology to the author, as his ... Read full review
Contents
A Day on the GWB | 13 |
The George and the Brooklyn New Jersey and New York | 27 |
Othmar Ammann | 39 |
Building the Bridge | 55 |
The Accidental Icon | 69 |
The Martha and the Bus Station | 81 |
Dramas Dangers and Disasters | 93 |
The George Washington Bridge in Literature | 107 |
The George Washington Bridge in the Other Arts | 123 |
Life Along the Walkways | 135 |
The GWB and Me | 147 |
Acknowledgments | 155 |
Notes | 159 |
175 | |
179 | |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
American architectural artist asked barrel cables beautiful bike bikers Bob Durando Bob McKee brass fasteners bridge’s Bronx Brooklyn Bridge builder building built bus station children’s book climbed concrete Cottrell Courtesy cross the bridge deck Engineers of Dreams Faith Ringgold feet fifty figures film find fine first five flag flying Fort Lee Fort Washington Park George Wash George Washington Bridge giant girders Golden Gate Hudson River inauguration interview Jersey tower Ken Philmus lanes Lindenthal Lindenthal’s Little Red Lighthouse look Lower Level Margot Ammann Durrer Michael north walkway October Othmar Ammann Othmar H Palisades patrolman pedestrians photograph police Port Authority Ringgold roadway Roebling Rutgers University says Silzer span steel Steve Napolitano story structure suicide suspender cables suspension bridge Teel there’s told toll tollbooths traffic translated by Margot trucks Tunnel Upper Level walk Washington Heights World Trade Center York anchorage York City York tower Yorker