The Canal Pioneers

A "superbly told" history of canals and the men who built them, from ancient empires to modern civilization—includes photos and illustrations ( Narrow Boat). Stones for the pyramids of Egypt were brought to the site by canal, and one of the most imposing canal systems ever built, the Grand Canal of China, was begun in the sixth century BC. Development after the end of the Roman Empire was slow, but saw the steady improvement of river navigations through locks—the mitre gates were actually first designed by Leonardo da Vinci. The modern age of canals that cross summits began in France, and the most famous of these early waterways was the magnificent Canal du Midi, the brainchild of Pierre-Paul Riquet, completed in 1681. It was a visit to this canal as a teenager that inspired the Duke of Bridgewater to build his famous canal, which inspired a rush of canal construction in Britain that made the Industrial Revolution possible. The nineteenth century also saw extensive canal systems developing in North America, such as the renowned Erie Canal, and culminated in two great ship canals at Suez and Panama. This generously illustrated book tells an exciting story of canal development and the people who made it possible.