The Bridge Builders

The Bridge Builders is a novel written by Rudyard Kipling, first published in 1899. The story is set in the late 19th century and follows the construction of a railway bridge spanning a river in India. The novel explores the challenges faced by the bridge builders, including the harsh climate, the rugged terrain, and the cultural differences between the British engineers and the local workers.The main character of the novel is Angus Duer, a Scottish engineer who is tasked with overseeing the construction of the bridge. Duer is a skilled and experienced engineer who is determined to complete the project on time and within budget, but he faces many obstacles along the way. He must deal with corrupt officials, hostile locals, and a dangerous natural environment.The novel also features a love story between Duer and a local woman named Uma, who becomes his assistant on the project. Their relationship is complicated by the cultural differences between them and the disapproval of both their communities.The Bridge Builders is a complex and engaging novel that explores themes of imperialism, cultural conflict, and the human cost of progress. Kipling's vivid descriptions of the Indian landscape and his nuanced portrayal of the characters make this a must-read for anyone interested in the history and culture of India.There were labour contractors by the half-hundred - fitters and riveters, European, borrowed from the railway workshops, with, perhaps, twenty white and half-caste subordinates to direct, under direction, the bevies of workmen - but none knew better than these two, who trusted each other, how the underlings were not to be trusted. They had been tried many times in sudden crises - by slipping of booms, by breaking of tackle, failure of cranes, and the wrath of the river.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.