Chief Engineer

Washington Roebling, the Man Who Built the Brooklyn Bridge

By: Erica Wagner

Narrated by: Jo Anna Perrin

"I know that nothing can be done perfectly at the first trial; I also know that each day brings its little quota of experiences, which with honest intentions will lead to perfection after a while." (Washington Roebling)

His father conceived of the Brooklyn Bridge, but after John Roebling's sudden death, Washington Roebling built what has become one of American's most iconic structures - as much a part of New York as the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building. Yet, as recognizable as the bridge is, its builder is too often forgotten - and his life is of interest far beyond his chosen field. It is the story of immigrants, of the frontier, of the greatest crisis in American history, and of the making of the modern world. Forty years after the publication of The Great Bridge, David McCullough's classic chronicle of how the East River was spanned, Erica Wagner has written a fascinating biography of one of America's most distinguished engineers, a man whose long life was a model of courage in the face of extraordinary adversity. Chief Engineer is enriched by Roebling's own eloquent voice, unveiled in his recently discovered memoir that was previously thought lost to history.

©2017 Erica Wagner (P)2017 Tantor

Author cannot keep a linear idea for over a minute

The narration is fine.. not bad, nothing to write home about. If anything, the intonation makes it hard to understand at times

As for the story, it’s a magnificent story written in a god awful way. Goes over so many meaningless side quests about other characters that were barely present or honestly don’t even matter. Made it 3 hours in and will be reading the other biography to see if I can actually learn something


Honestly it feels more like a sad memory style novel than a biography and when you think about who this is about (one of the smartest builders and engineers of his time), it makes no sense why you’ll write a book about someone in a tone that makes them no justice. We are not here to learn about the author

interesting life of an enginerr

the story is a bit long and meandering. however, the life of Washington Robling is a good reminder of what it takes to be a great engineer

Fascinating Story

I would have enjoyed this fascinating book immensely if not for the extremely frustrating narration — monotoned, robotic and artificial intonation. Just why.

Monumental

Stands alone against David McCullough’s, “The Great Bridge,” bringing a biographer’s sensibility to Colonel Roebling’s story.

The retelling of certain details cannot be helped but is managed with grace and skill, and are all obligato parts necessary to be played.

At the end the women’s voices— the author’s and the narrator’s— bring a ringing clarity to the story, and the closing coda is rational and touching.

A fine book and no small accomplishment.

Great story

While the story was great I struggled with the narrator. I had a hard time sensing any change in emotion and without any change in tone I felt myself losing interest. The story was great but I just needed more enjoyment from the narrator.