"The history of the Panama Canal's construction, operation, and eventual transfer to the Panamanian government offers a fascinating window on US imperialism in the 20th century. Maurer and Yu provide a deeply researched and highly readable economic history of the canal."
Choice "[T]his book teaches us important lessons on the global consequences of imperial ventures with particular insights on institutional development, ... Read moreeconomic and political constraints and power."
Leticia Arroyo Abad, EH.Net "[T]he authors' sophisticated and persuasive analysis helps illuminate the economic history
and consequences
of the Panama Canal. This book brings new questions and answers to the study of U.S. imperialism and simultaneously demonstrates the usefulness of economic history for a field often dominated by cultural and social methodologies."
Julie Greene, Journal of American History "The Big Ditch strikes an interesting balance in addressing both the political and economic dimensions of imperialism and the practices of empire, and fills a gap by providing a comprehensive analysis of the Panama Canal through a century of its history."
Joseph Michael Gratale, European Journal of American Studies Show Less