This book is a firsthand account of the American intervention in Panama in the early 20th century, from the perspective of the chief engineer of the Panama Canal. It documents the challenges and triumphs of the engineering feat that transformed global trade and geopolitical power, and sheds light on the social, political, and cultural aspects of the American presence in Panama. The author offers a critical and nuanced view of the complex interactions between the two countries, and their lasting legacy in the region. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.