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Description
This book chronicles the story of the laying of a telegraph cable across the Atlantic Ocean in 1866, an unprecedented communications feat conceived of and promoted by American businessman Cyrus Field.
Quick Summary
John Steele Gordon tells the incredible true story of how a telegraph cable got stretched across the Atlantic Ocean in 1866, connecting the world for the first time. The book focuses on Cyrus Field, a bold American businessman who spent over a decade trying to make this happen despite countless failures, financial ruin, and people calling him crazy. You'll feel the tension as ships battled storms, engineers solved impossible problems, and public opinion swung from excitement to despair and back again. It's a must-read for anyone who loves underdog stories, history, or seeing how big ideas actually become reality, and it'll make you think differently about modern technology. Parents can rest assured it's appropriate for older teens there's some period-typical attitudes, but nothing too concerning. If you're into books like *The Wright Brothers* or stories about groundbreaking inventions, this one's right up your alley.