The Canal Builders

In The Canal Builders, Julie Greene highlights the often-overlooked human aspect of the Panama Canal's construction, focusing on the tens of thousands of workers from around the globe who contributed to this monumental project. From 1904 to 1914, these laborers faced harsh conditions and systemic inequities related to race and nationality, yet they found ways to resist and challenge oppressive policies. Greene's research sheds light on how the canal not only reflected America's engineering prowess but also transformed perceptions of American imperialism at the turn of the 20th century.