Includes bibliographical references (p.[509]-515) and index

The golden Isthmus: The keys to the universe-- Rivalry and stalemate-- Gold rush-- A natural culminating point-- The competing routes-- The french tragedy: Le grand Francais-- The fatl decision-- The riches of France-- Travail commence-- Fever-- Jules Dingler-- Annus horribilis-- Colapse and scandal-- The American triumph: Heroes and Villains: The battle of the routes-- I took the Isthmus-- Make the Dirt Fly-- Yellow jack-- Restart-- The railroad era -- The digging machine-- Segregation-- The army of Panama-- Hell's Gorge-- Lord how piercing-- The land divided, the world united-- Whose canal is it, anway?.