In this elegantly written and far-reaching narrative, acclaimed author Gerard Koeppel tells the astonishing story of the creation of the Erie Canal and the memorable characters who turned a visionary plan into a successful venture. Koeppel's long years of research fill the pages with new findings about the construction of the canal and its enormous impact, providing a unique perspective on America's self perception as an empire destined to expand to the Pacific. "Booklist," 3/1/09 "[The Erie Canal's] economic impact--vaulting NYC over Philadelphia as the commercial capital of the U.S.--was ably recounted by business historian Peter Bernstein in Wedding of the Waters (2005); Koeppel adds greater emphasis in his narrative to the constellation of promoters and politicians who brought the canal into existence...[A] lively account." Gerard Koeppel is the author of Water for Gotham, Bond of Union , and City on a Grid . He has contributed to numerous other books, including the Encyclopedia of New York City , of which he was an associate editor. He was an editor for many years at CBS News. He lives in New York City.