Frederic J. Haskin (1872–1944)

Part of the text was reviewed by then President Howard Taft. All of the text was reviewed by noteworthy individuals with solid credentials in their area of expertise. This is a book that has a specific purpose - to explain in everyday terms just what the American government is and how it works.

Interesting bits of information from the past. Before container shops there were "seatrains" that carried entire railroad cars and had tracks laid on the ships.Why did S.C. have a statue of William Pitt ? How did Canada add schools for remote areas ? The A.A. Canadian Pacific railway. outfitted complete railroad car outfitted as a school. Not a bad idea today, is it ?

This book can now function as a sociology text, revealing the cultural fears and foibles of the early 20th century, replete with class anxiety and xenophobia. A compilation of questions from writers to a newspaper column with their answers... some of them completely non-politically correct.

This was interesting, I didn't know much about the building of the canal before I read this book. The problem is that it very much seems like promotional material. Minute details that I had to skim. I just didn't want to know all those figures.

It is definitely dated in its language and attitudes towards other cultures. It tells you just about every detail you could wish to know about the building of the canal though.