With skill, bravery, and agility, Mohawk ironworkers built America’s sky- scrapers and bridges. They walked the girders and leaped from one beam to another, hundreds and even thousands of feet in the air. Period drawings and photographs highlight the enormity of their achievements. Author’s Note, Glossary, Source Notes, Index.

A graphic novel about the French resistance during the Holocaust. Author’s Note.

Confession: Because of a passing reference in an Annie Dillard book, I was more interested in the legend that members of the Mohawk tribe were conscripted into construction of skyscrapers because they had no fear of heights than I was in the actual story of Mohawk workers. Even so, despite being a little dull, the book does a decent job of describing the situation Mohawk ironworkers and their families found themselves in. Weitzman uses photos, interviews, and other primary sources to establish the context for labor abuses - the industrial boom, the mass migrations to urban areas, the high demand for intrepid workers for dangerous (and ill-managed) building projects, and even the sense of wonder surrounding each new record-setting bridge and tower. ( )

I never had any idea that Mohawk Indians were an instrumental part of raising this country's bridges and skylines. It would have been helpful to have diagrams that illustrated the various key parts of the bridges and buildings that the author discusses. Otherwise, it's a revealing story of a little known aspect of American history. ( )

Very good children's nonfiction book about an amazing subject. ( )