New Book Rediscovers Frenchman Who Changed World History
Online, January 1, 2013 (Newswire.com) - After his country fails to finish construction of the Panama Canal, a young French engineer by the name of Philippe Bunau-Varilla becomes obsessed with completing the project. In his quest, he becomes an entrepreneur, convinces President Roosevelt and the U.S. Senate to build in Panama instead of Nicaragua, supports a revolution, contributes to the creation of a country, and in the process, becomes a millionaire, all for the purpose of completing the Panama Canal.
I Took Panama: The Story of Philippe Bunau-Varilla is a novel based on the life of Philippe Bunau-Varilla, a man who changed world history, and yet, has been practically unheard of. According to legendary journalist Eric Sevareid, Bunau-Varilla "invented Panama" so the United States could finish what the French had unsuccessfully started. In the process, the controversial engineer amassed a fortune, changed continental maps, and was behind President Roosevelt's infamous "I Took Panama" quote.
The short novel covers five decades of Bunau-Varilla's very full and accomplished life: his early days as a student of the Polytechnic School in Paris, his accidental ascension to General Director of canal construction when he was barely twenty-six years old, his covert lobbying of the United States to discard Nicaragua as the ideal site for canal construction, and finally, his involvement in a rejected treaty with Colombia and his resulting controversial participation in the secession of Panama from Colombia.
Bunau-Varilla's actions affected people and politics on two continents, and his accomplishments forever changed the course of history. His story is one of trial, error, and ultimately, of triumph. Readers of the book will learn about a fascinating man who, in spite of his tremendous historical importance, has remained virtually unknown until now.
Rodolfo M. Leitón lives with his family in San Jose, Costa Rica. This is his first novel.
Paperback: 146 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace
ISBN-13: 978-1469915265
Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.3 inches
Release Date: October 14, 2012
Available for Sale on: Amazon