The Panama Canal was the costliest undertaking in history; its completion in 1914 marked the beginning of the “American Century.” <b>Panama Fever</b> draws on contemporary accounts, bringing the experience of those who built the canal vividly to life. Politicians engaged in high-stakes diplomacy in order to influence its construction. Meanwhile, engineers and workers from around the world rushed to take advantage of high wages and the chance to be a part of history. Filled with remarkable characters, <b>Panama Fever </b>is an epic history that shows how a small, fiercely contested strip of land made the world a smaller place and launched the era of American global dominance.