This title examines an important historic event, building the Panama Canal. Readers will learn about the historic quests to find a pathway between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, France's pursuit in building a canal, and the United States' first trials in building the Panama Canal. Also covered are the key players in the canal's construction and the canal's worldwide impact on commerce and travel. Color photos and informative sidebars accompany easy-to-read, compelling text. Features include a timeline, facts, additional resources, Web sites, a glossary, a bibliography, and an index. Essential Events is a series in Essential Library, an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.