Summary of Dam Hoover written by Joseph E Stevens - Book Report/Review Example

Dam Hoover: A Book Report Introduction The goal of this report is to present a clear assessment and summary of the book entitled, “Dam Hoover” written by Joseph E. Stevens. The book is structured into seven chapters, which are aimed at facilitating review of the subject matter in an in-depth manner. The book presents a timeline of a number of events that took place to construct the Hoover Dam. The author has not just included a number of concerns that were marked during the construction of the Dam, but also the author in the book also discussed a number of critical issues. It should be noted that a number of researchers have used the book as a reference for their research work. There are a number of points that have been considered as the focus of the paper. One of these pointers includes the working conditions of the workers who are appointed to the coin the involved in the construction of Hoover Dam. There are many other researchers who have researched and evaluated odds and developments in the constructions of the Hoover Dam. As a matter of fact, all these researchers failed to understand the aspect of the hard work undertaken by the labor. The Hoover dam was constructed in a very short span of time. The credit should have been gone to the workers who gave double shifts. It was the era of Great Depression when the income or the wages were relatively lesser than before. Despite such odds, more and more hard work was observed during the period of construction. Herein, it can be noticed the author highlighted many important points about the construction process of the Hoover Dam. Those are given bellow. 1. In the first chapter of the book named A River and a Dream, the author is defining about the dream of a Dam in America. In which, the formation of the design and the construction methodology planning was involved. For that, the author is also defining the background of the politics. As it is a matter of fact that the government was involved in the contractors’ selection, therefore, it was the responsibility of the government to review bids and select most suitable contractors for the job. Therefore, bid for the contractors and then the formation of the six companies was the decision of the government. After that, the process was started (Stevens). 2. In “A Deadly Desert Place” the author is discussing that how the work was initiated. He explained the scenarios of the initial work problems in which selection of skilled builders, engineers, constructors, and workers were involved. After selection and making the union in the labor workforce, the author in this book discussed the union problems. Later on, the other big task for the constructors and the engineers was the blasting for the four diversions of the tunnels. According to the author, it was the hardest time of the construction period when the work was in initial stages. In which, transport problem was also one of the main issues; therefore, temporary highway was designed between Redding and Red Bluff. It was known as the temporary River Camp and Rag town for the completion of the construction process (Stevens). 3. Steven discussed the diversion of the tunnels and river in chapter, “To Turn a River”. Herein, it should be noted that the author is explaining the risk that were involved in the diversion of the tunnels. It is written in this chapter that there was fraught hazardous work involved in the diversion process. Therefore, it was the reason that was creating the problems. It was causing the placement of the number of tunnels that was supposed to be the place with Nevada tunnel. The Nevada tunnel was farther from the river. In addition, handling of the rock was also a big issue that involved the risks (Stevens). 4. In one of the chapter named “Under the Eagle’s Wing” from Hoover Dam the author discussed the inspection teams, the investigator officer and security chief. The author also provided the additional information about the building of a whole new city named Boulder city. It was developed in the shortest period of that time and according to the timetable. The reason to build a new city was to provide shelters for the hundreds of the workers who were performing their role to build a dam. Moreover, he provided the problems, and those were political infighting, hostility, and bitter controversies. Herein, it should be noted that the Hoover Dam is being called as Boulder Dam in this chapter. The reason is that the city name was boulder. Therefore, the president of that time wanted to name it as Boulder Dam. The city manager of Boulder named Sims Ely keeps visiting the entire city on and off to make it more spectacular. It was his efforts that changed the picture of the boulder city for the families of the workers (Stevens). 5. Steve discussed the “Incessant, Monstrous Activity” by this he meant the hard work of the workers and the labor force of the Hoover Dam. According to him, the day and night efforts of the workers helped to complete the process of construction. He provided the details of the little incidents with dates and period of the completion of each phase. In addition, he explained the problems that were being faced while giving name to the dam because initially it was suggested by the architects that the final name will be Hoover Dam. However, the dam was renamed as Boulder Dam. Later it switched back to the real initial name Hoover. In detail, the author provided insight information about the construction of the gravel plant and structure of the railroads. After that the concrete pouring phase that was completed in the start of June 1933 moreover, the line diversion of the tunnels that was completed in one year. Herein, the author Steve also added information about the Hoover presidential re-election that was unsuccessful of that time because Roosevelt was elected (Stevens). 6. Steve mentioned some very crucial stages of the Hoover Dam in his chapter, “A Callous, Cruel Lump on Concrete” he described the material and labors that were used for the construction. He provided the deep understanding about the material, which was used in each phase of the construction. Moreover, he thoroughly elaborated the tax problems of that time in which, six companies were under the case of eight-hour-law violations. In addition, he also adds the informative knowledge about the aerial cableways to pour concrete and details about the moving men and supplies. A few trivia about pouring problems that were inclined spillway tunnels in which he illustrated the concrete hardness. He also discussed the court case of the carbon monoxide poisoning of the workers during the diversion of the tunnels. According to Steve, there were around 5000 workers doing block-by-block pouring pattern of the Dam and around 70 steel workers were helping to construct the powerhouse (Stevens). 7. The author mentioned that the transformation of the Hoover Dam is a twentieth-century marvel. Steve discussed the dedication for the construction of the Hoover Dam. He provided the trivia of the construction phase. Moreover, he explained that it is one of the wonders of science that was recognized on a large scale. According to him, the Hoover Dam is a collective national triumph not a triumph of individuals who invented this idea. The reason is that for the construction of this dam, government, private industries and labors all were working hard to accomplish a unique piece and a wonder of science for America (Stevens). During the construction of that Dam the depressing situation was faced by all, therefore, when it was completed it became pride for all. After the depressing phase of five years on its completion Americans started celebrations because it was a dream that came true. In addition, it was considering best for the nation’s better future; the mountains and grass and water was adding a spark of the beauty. Later on its construction, it became popular as a travel destination for the visitors because it was a marvel of twentieth-century and a great spectacle of construction (Stevens). Reflection The book is quite informative because the author has created a number of sections in the book that are determined for breaking down information. The tone used by the author in the book is easy to understand. It denotes that the information is readable by general audiences. The clarity and reliability of the content in the book can easily be understood. It will not be incorrect to state that the author has provided information of each single step of construction of the Hoover Dam. From the designing phase to the construction phase the author has given deep and minor details. In addition, Steven illustrated the success story of the Hoover Dam construction under the unique challenges of that time. It can be said that this book provides the learning that what was the level of the problems that can be faced during the construction period. On the other hand, this book has provided me deep knowledge about the history of Hoover Dam construction with the interesting facts. Though, on the initial stage the constructor and the engineers of that site found fault in the location, however, the relocation method dealt with this issue as well. Thus, the entire information provided by the Steven reflecting the possible construction methods, steps and difficulties for any other construction of any marvel. Conclusion Through the above analysis, it could be said that the author has created a timeline of one of the most important events in the history. The author has described each interesting fact about the Hoover Dam and its construction. The book is providing the details of each era of the construction. From designing phase to construction completion and celebration phases, the book has given information about everything. It can be analyzed that the structure of the Hoover Dam is the best structure in America. Works Cited Stevens, Joseph E. Hoover Dam: An American Adventure. New York: University of Oklahoma Press, 1990. Print. Read More