Bridges: The Spans of North America

[Anonymous]

Dear Friends,
Has anyone of you read the book:
Bridges: The Spans of North America
by David Plowden?
Is it worth the money for me as an Milw, GN and NP fan and is just about railroad bridges?

Jan Bojarp
Glasgow/Scotland

[Anonymous]

I saw the book featured in Trains Mag And ordered one up through Barnes and Noble. You can get it for about $55.00 by ordering through them, rather than the $70.00 list price.

the book is a treasure trove of bridge building lore, both railroad and highway, covering Cast Iron, wrought iron, steel, cementicious, and hybrid construction, right up to the current day , And elaborates in great detail about some of the tremendous political squables that formed in the building of some famous bridges .

And, goees into detail in disecting the mud slinging wars that arose from some famous bridge collapses, yielding both the "official causes" of the collapse, as well as what "learned opinion now believes to be more accurate" which is especially interesting in the cases where disgrace followed the accused cause of the failure to their deaths, perhaps unjustly.

In essance, if you think that "a bridge can be more fun than a party",,,THIS is the book for you.

The text has numerous typographical errors throughout, which for a $70.00 price seems inexcuseable to me.

But, with Plowden, it is the pictures you want, and he delivers.

Unfortunately, I was NOT expecting a book that was totally devoid of color photo's, all shot in Black and White.

And, after putting up with Ansel Adams all these years, it almost seems Arrogant to have another one come along playing the "B&W is the artform appealing to the more sophisticated afficionado"

Phooey!! When I spend that kinda coin on a picture book, I want it to be of a nature that can save me a trip of going to see it for myself. Not one mans idea of romance.

I returned the book for a refund, after 3 days of not being able to put it down.

Excellant book, if you like B&W though

[dknelson]

Plowden has made his reputation with black and white and I guess I am surprised you were surprised by it. Even the best color photography has a hard time capturing the texture of rusted metal and worn wood as black and white can.
Dave Nelson

[Anonymous]

That's cool! It's just a personal thing, that's all.

For me to feel comfortable laying out that kinda money on a book, I want maximal "realism", not "special effects".

When I ordered the book through B Dalton, I expected to part with the money, and go home with the book. Straight up.

When it came in, I was like "O no-no-no!"

Only book ever I've taken advantage of Barnes & Noble/B. Daltons offer of "If you don't like it, bring it back".

I will say that Plowden is an excellant photographer though. The man knows "light". And he is a genius, when it comes to perspective.

That "Wabash Bridge" of Jay Goulds near Pittsburgh is a trip

[Anonymous]

I have not seen this book, so I will not even try to comment on IT. I will, however say that the "tastes" of black&white vs. color, are all in the individual's own liking. I have been shooting both color and B&W for years. I guess it all boils down to the frame of mind (no pun intended) of the photographer at the place and time. I have shot color that after seeing it, I wished I'd done it in B&W, and likewise for shooting B&W.
That's one of the reasons I plan on buying a top-line digital camera soon. First off, I will never have to worry about running out of film, and second, I can do any kind of prints I want off the old computer. The only drawback I see here, is digital cameras won't do color slides. But, give 'em a few years, they will get that down too....
Todd C.

[Anonymous]

Jan--if you are a bridge fan, & want to look at photos thereof for free, there is a website you can go to: www.bridgesofpittsburgh.com

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, has probably the most bridges of any county in the USA, over 2000 bridges eight feet long or longer. Website covers both road & rail. Take a look--I think you'll enjoy it.

[Anonymous]

Sorry Jan--I forgot that the Pittsburgh website uses the city's abbreviation. The CORRECT website is:

www.pghbridges.com

Enter it this way & you'll be right there.