High Steel: The Daring Men Who Built the World's Greatest Skyline, 1881 to the Present - Softcover

Rasenberger, Jim

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0060004355 ISBN 13: 9780060004354

Publisher: Harper Paperbacks, 2005

Synopsis

A powerful first-hand account of the many generations and ethnic groups of men who have built America's 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 tomorrow's 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 America's 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.

About this title

About the Author:

Jim Rasenberger is a frequent contributor to the New York Times. He lives in New York City with his wife and twin sons. High Steel is his first book.

Review:

“Rasenberger’s compelling book ....Reveal[s] as much about the human spirit as about technological progress.” (Wall Street Journal)

“Admirable....Rasenberger tell[s] his tale...uncommonly well.” (Jonathan Yardley in The Washington Post)

“[A] riveting historical work.” (Chicago Sun-Times)

“Fascinating....A breezy, anecdotal history of...the daredevils of the skies...who built New York City’s bridges and skyscrapers.” (New York Newsday)

“[Rasenberger] is as engaging a writer as Sebastian Junger and HIGH STEEL is a fast-paced read.” (Ottawa Citizen)

“Introduce[s] us to the romance and adventure of hard hats....men [who] make their living courting danger every day.” (New York Post)

“Mr. Rasenberger’s sharp eye...his sympathetic imagination, and his graceful prose make for an engaging read....Beautifully written.” (New York Sun)

“Fascinating.” (New York Magazine)

“A dizzying look at a world hundreds of feet above New York’s mean streets.” (Maxim (4 Star Review))

“HIGH STEEL is a testament to an incredible group of workers [that] ranks ... with Gay Talese’s classic THE BRIDGE.” (Daily News)

About this edition

• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0060004355
• ISBN 13: 9780060004354
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 400