Losnab Posted May 10, 2017 #1 Share Posted May 10, 2017 Part of the joy of traveling for me is in the research and planning. So in preparation for our upcoming Panama cruise I have purchased a digital copy of The Path Between the Seas. I am a reader...I always have a book. (Nor a fast reader, but I so enjoy my books) i am on page 77 and quite frankly I have to say I am having a real hard time "getting into" this read. Can anyone offer me any encouragement? Does it get better? I can't remember the last time I did not finish a book that I started. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillB48 Posted May 10, 2017 #2 Share Posted May 10, 2017 Have read many readers characterizations that it can be slow in spots... I guess there is just so much history to include, it may make for some slow reading. I'm sure if you can hold out till the building of the Canal it will pick up. At least your final exam (the cruise and transit) will be a breeze!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oilsand Posted May 11, 2017 #3 Share Posted May 11, 2017 hang in there with the book. Although it has slow parts the history and prelim is necessary to provide proper context. I just looked at my copy around where you are and assure yourself it get much better I am not much of a reader but soldier on. It is one of the most interesting book I have ever red. The cherry on the cake is the actual trip through the canal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted May 12, 2017 #4 Share Posted May 12, 2017 Gee, some parts are more interesting than others. Glad I read it but it's certainly not a book I want to read again. :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Turtles06 Posted May 12, 2017 #5 Share Posted May 12, 2017 I normally read non-fiction, but this book was definitely a slog in many places. All that said, imho it is well worth the read. We did our first transit of the Canal in January, and I am very glad that I read the book -- it really underscored for me just how incredible it is not only that the Canal was built, but that it still works to this day, as originally built. PS: I often don't finish books that I start. If they don't grab me, I don't force myself to keeping reading them. It's really okay. Give this one a little longer, but don't make yourself crazy over it. Enjoy your trip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marysb Posted May 12, 2017 #6 Share Posted May 12, 2017 Yes, there are a lot of politics behind this Canal. It is basically in 3 long parts.... The French initiation and politics, the American issues and politics, the construction. Yup it gets very detailed, but it really does enhance your knowledge of the Canal. The condensed version of the history is in Wikipedia. But the final chapters were what I found most interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msmayor Posted May 13, 2017 #7 Share Posted May 13, 2017 As others have said, it does get bogged down in parts. I found it a challenge to keep track of the names at times, but stuck with it and was VERY glad I did. Getting through the first half, which focused on the French effort was an accomplishment and rewarded with the remainder of the story and the entry of the Americans in the mix. We only did a partial transit this past March but I can tell you that having read that book, I understood much better how the canal worked and what I was seeing during the transit. It greatly enhanced the experience for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted May 13, 2017 #8 Share Posted May 13, 2017 To be extremely honest, I'd rather have a root canal than read that book again. :eek: It made me very glad I'd taken that "speed reading" class! :D:evilsmile: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creel5857 Posted May 13, 2017 #9 Share Posted May 13, 2017 I am very glad this was mentioned because I was thinking the same thing. I kept seeing on these boards and other sites how this was the absolute best book in the world to read to prepare for PC cruise but I just finally put it down and wondered why I had spent the money for the book......but maybe I will skip over several pages and try to pick up again because I really did want to do some prep reading before we enjoyed the cruise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anniegb Posted May 20, 2017 #10 Share Posted May 20, 2017 I have just started reading this book and find the 1st section a breeze. All the comments deterred me from starting to read the book. I was unsure if I wanted to complete a Panama canal transit but the book has whetted my appetite. To be fair, I read in small chunks and at my pace; slow and steady. Annie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Losnab Posted May 26, 2017 Author #11 Share Posted May 26, 2017 I did not mean to deter any person(s) in our cruise board community from reading The Path Between the Seas. The goal of my post was to seek assurance that I was not alone. I continue to read the book. Does anybody have any movie recommendations re the Panama Canal? Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eltigre Posted May 26, 2017 #12 Share Posted May 26, 2017 I am currently at the American section of the book. My hubby is still slogging through the French portion. We are both readers, him even more so than I yet he is having the most difficult time between the two of us. I think it may have to do with the interest level people have in the very detailed behind the scenes history. I am fascinated by the times, their knowledge, as well as the politics which affected the world then, & how it has influenced our modern world. I do 20-30 minutes a day & don't worry about precise pronunciation;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Essiesmom Posted May 27, 2017 #13 Share Posted May 27, 2017 I read the book before my first transit. Very interesting, but not one I would read again. Just wish there was a Cliff Notes version...EM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pspercy Posted May 28, 2017 #14 Share Posted May 28, 2017 You'd have a hard time duplicating it today, just read what was done to create the country of Panama!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aqua2 Posted June 20, 2017 #15 Share Posted June 20, 2017 I just finished it this morning; I am definitely a reader, but usually fiction. Anyway, I set a goal of at least one chapter per day. LOL, felt like I was back in college. But I am so glad that I read it prior to our cruise this Fall. I had no idea of the complexity of the history of building the Panama Canal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom47 Posted June 20, 2017 #16 Share Posted June 20, 2017 I read it in Sept 2012, before going on a Panama Canal transit cruise. I borrowed it from the library and posted a 5* review on Amazon.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskanb Posted June 20, 2017 #17 Share Posted June 20, 2017 We have just booked a Panama full transit for early Jan 2019. I've had the book for a while and have yet to open it -- DH is a historian and enjoyed it. I've watched a few videos about the canal I recollect the Nova and National Geographic ones being good. Think History Channel also has one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capncarp Posted June 21, 2017 #18 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Yes, it's chewy. Yes, it's fact-heavy. Yes, it can take a while. Keep at it. Coming to realize and understand just what it took to complete the canal will be quite breathtaking after you have completed it.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillB48 Posted June 21, 2017 #19 Share Posted June 21, 2017 We have just booked a Panama full transit for early Jan 2019. I've had the book for a while and have yet to open it -- DH is a historian and enjoyed it. I've watched a few videos about the canal I recollect the Nova and National Geographic ones being good. Think History Channel also has one. Another pretty decent vid is from PBS's American Experience, The Panama Canal. You can watch it on youtube at the link below. One of the interviewees is Matthew Parker who wrote Panama Fever another good book which is a bit shorter and not quite as in depth as McCullough's "book of record". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-CaBIKTl4M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michmike2 Posted October 15, 2017 #20 Share Posted October 15, 2017 listened to it on 24 CDs a few years back when I was still working and commuting for over an hour each way every day. Seems like it took a month, but lots of good info. Prompted us to book a full transit, which we will be doing on HAL in Mar of '18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billrco90278 Posted November 14, 2017 #21 Share Posted November 14, 2017 (edited) I started it last week and the first hundred or so pages are somewhat tedious, but provide a valuable background. I am now in the French construction period and find the book more interesting as I move forward. My canal transit will be in a January on the Windstar Star Breeze, and this book will make the experience more interesting and meaningful! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Edited November 14, 2017 by billrco90278 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRUISEBOY305 Posted November 17, 2017 #22 Share Posted November 17, 2017 Also started reading it last week. Panama Canal cruise is in May. I should be done by then. It is a rather looooooong book. :o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillB48 Posted November 17, 2017 #23 Share Posted November 17, 2017 Also started reading it last week. Panama Canal cruise is in May. I should be done by then. It is a rather looooooong book. :o No doubt that "The Path" is the book of record and is definitely worth the read, just in case that doesn't satisfy you in your Canal quotient, there are some others out there as well. Panama Fever by Matthew Parker is worth a look as well. The Panama Canal, The Invisible Wonder of the World by Ron Armstrong is an excellent pictorial collection of what is now mostly underwater. The author traveled to West Point to sift through Col. Goethals' collection of construction day photos and presents them in the form of a southbound transit. I thought I had seen every construction picture ever taken... not even close! If you are looking for something a bit more topical pick up a copy of Richard Detrich's Panama Canal Day. There are a number of editions available, the earlier ones were either a "North" or a "South" edition, as far as I know the one I mentioned is the most current. If you want to go the video route, then there always is A Man, A Plan, A Canal, Panama narrated by McCullough. While it is a bit dated, it certainly has some great archival footage. A little more 21st century is PBS's American Experience, The Panama Canal is worth a look as well, I found a fair copy of it here; Look forward to some of your great photo coverage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRUISEBOY305 Posted November 17, 2017 #24 Share Posted November 17, 2017 No doubt that "The Path" is the book of record and is definitely worth the read, just in case that doesn't satisfy you in your Canal quotient, there are some others out there as well. Panama Fever by Matthew Parker is worth a look as well. The Panama Canal, The Invisible Wonder of the World by Ron Armstrong is an excellent pictorial collection of what is now mostly underwater. The author traveled to West Point to sift through Col. Goethals' collection of construction day photos and presents them in the form of a southbound transit. I thought I had seen every construction picture ever taken... not even close! If you are looking for something a bit more topical pick up a copy of Richard Detrich's Panama Canal Day. There are a number of editions available, the earlier ones were either a "North" or a "South" edition, as far as I know the one I mentioned is the most current. If you want to go the video route, then there always is A Man, A Plan, A Canal, Panama narrated by McCullough. While it is a bit dated, it certainly has some great archival footage. A little more 21st century is PBS's American Experience, The Panama Canal is worth a look as well, I found a fair copy of it here; Look forward to some of your great photo coverage. Oh wow.... thank you for all that. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchcanrican Posted November 17, 2017 #25 Share Posted November 17, 2017 I think it gets real good after the French part is completely. Keep going. You will be glad you did. Enjoy the Canal Cruise. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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