A powerful first-hand account of the many generations and ethnic groups of men who have built Americas skyscrapers.From the early days of steel construction in Chicago; through the great boom years of New York city ironwork; and up through the present; High Steel follows the trajectory of careers inextricably linked to both great accomplishment and catastrophic disaster. The personal stories reveal the lives of ironworkers and the dangers they face as they walk across the windswept; swaying summits of tomorrows skyscrapers; balanced on steel girders sometimes only six inches wide. Rasenberger explores both the greatest accomplishments of ironwork—the vaulting bridges and towers that define Americas skyline—and the deadliest disasters; such as the Quebec Bridge Collapse of 1907; when 75 ironworkers; including 33 Mohawk Indians; fell to their deaths. High Steel is an accessible; thrilling; and vertiginous portrait of the lives of some of our most brave yet unrecognized men.
#677980 in eBooks 2009-10-13 2009-10-13File Name: B000R4FX8I
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Classic biography of HandelBy ernest drownLang clearly knew all there was to know about Handel and his times when he wrote the book. The style is sweeping; and is enjoyable for the average reader; yet detailed enough to satisfy a specialist. AND the book is valuable; not just because the information is correct; but because Lang uses his great knowledge of other composers and their music to make fine judgements and conclusions; which make the book unique. And he has a sense of humor; something you dont find so often in scholarly biography. I read this on an iPad using the Kindle app. The lack of page numbers (only "locations") was a serious; constant irritant. It made me wish Id bought the book through another source; and paid a few dollars more.2 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Fascinating bookBy Laurence G. ByrneI purchased this as a gift for a professional musician. He is really enjoying it. While not light reading; it is an excellent read. I am looking forward to borrowing it Bach from him to read myself.2 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A very interesting book.By Kim SessionsI do love to listen to the music of Handel and to have his life in this book makes me appreciate him even more.