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Yo Tomé Panamá: Una Novela HistóricaI
"I Took Panama" is a short novel based on the life and achievements of the French Colonel Philippe-Jean Bunau-Varilla, the man considered by Eric Sevareid to be the "inventor of Panama," and about whom President Theodore Roosevelt expressed, "I took Panama because Bunau-Varilla gave it to me on a silver platter."
This work of fiction covers five decades of Bunau-Varilla's very full and accomplished life: from his beginning as a student of the Polytechnic School in Paris; his accidental ascension to General Director of the canal construction when he was barely twenty-six years old; his lucrative business period on the isthmus; his covert lobbying of the United States to discard Nicaragua as the ideal site for canal construction, and finally, his controversial participation in the secession of Panama from Colombia when the country had rejected a treaty that he had helped to negotiate.
The intervention of Bunau-Varilla forever changed the histories of the United States, Colombia, Nicaragua, and Panama. This ambitious and forward-thinking man set into motion a series of events that led, not only to the construction of the Panama Canal, but to the liberation of Panama from Colombia. His actions affected people and politics on two continents, and his accomplishments forever changed the course of history. Philippe Bunau-Varilla's story is one of trial and error, and ultimately, of triumph.
This work of fiction covers five decades of Bunau-Varilla's very full and accomplished life: from his beginning as a student of the Polytechnic School in Paris; his accidental ascension to General Director of the canal construction when he was barely twenty-six years old; his lucrative business period on the isthmus; his covert lobbying of the United States to discard Nicaragua as the ideal site for canal construction, and finally, his controversial participation in the secession of Panama from Colombia when the country had rejected a treaty that he had helped to negotiate.
The intervention of Bunau-Varilla forever changed the histories of the United States, Colombia, Nicaragua, and Panama. This ambitious and forward-thinking man set into motion a series of events that led, not only to the construction of the Panama Canal, but to the liberation of Panama from Colombia. His actions affected people and politics on two continents, and his accomplishments forever changed the course of history. Philippe Bunau-Varilla's story is one of trial and error, and ultimately, of triumph.
150 pages, Paperback
First published December 10, 2011
18 people are currently reading
357 people want to read
About the author
Rodolfo M. Leitón
1 book5 followersI live in San José, Costa Rica, and like reading biographies, old science fiction and short novels. Also enjoy saltwater fly fishing and the great challenge of trying to train our indomitable Jack Russell Terrier, Benito. I work on the consumer goods industry, and write during nights and weekends. "I Took Panama: The Story of Philippe Bunau-Varilla" is my first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 30, 2013
I didn't think I'd like this book. I thought it would be a boring book about the historical details of the building of the Panama Canal, but the author told the story from the point of view of one of the men actually involved with the construction of the Panama Canal and made history come to life for me. Philippe Bunau-Varilla's passion for the project shines through. From the day he heard about the plan to build the canal he knew he wanted to be there in Panama to help with the construction. His innovative ideas help to further the construction of the canal and his unwavering dedication helped get the canal completed. While his obsession sometimes lead him to do things that may not seem too ethical, you knew his goal was the completion of the Panama Canal and not personal gain.
I really enjoyed the book and learning about the Panama Canal.
I really enjoyed the book and learning about the Panama Canal.
March 27, 2013
I read the Spanish edition, so I thought it really needed a review in Spanish.
Un ingeniero francés, pequeño y belicoso, llamado Philippe Bunau-Varilla, inspirado por el enorme éxito y el prestigio derivado del recientemente completado canal de Suéz, se obsesionó por la idea de construir el canal de Panamá hasta el punto de fomentar la revolución independista contra Columbia (financiándola con su fortuna personal—fortuna ganada durante el intento fallido francés de excavar el canal). El análisis sobre la construcción del canal se hace desde un punto de vista distinto. La audacia, determinación y habilidad de Bunau-Varilla es una verdedera lección de perseverancia sin la cual posiblemente el canal panameño hubiera sido controlado por Alemania. ¡Considérense las ramificaciones de esa posibilidad!
A feisty little French engineer named Philippe Bunau-Varilla inspired by the enormous success and prestige derived from the recently completed Suez Canal, became obsessed with the building of the Panama Canal. Obsessed to the point of fomenting the Panamanian rebellion against Columbia and financing it with his personal fortune—a fortune made in the failed attempt by France to dig the canal. This examination of the building of the canal is seen from a unique point of view. Bunau-Varilla's audacity, determination and ingenuity is a lesson in perseverance, without which the Panama Canal could very well have been German. Consider the ramifications of that!
Un ingeniero francés, pequeño y belicoso, llamado Philippe Bunau-Varilla, inspirado por el enorme éxito y el prestigio derivado del recientemente completado canal de Suéz, se obsesionó por la idea de construir el canal de Panamá hasta el punto de fomentar la revolución independista contra Columbia (financiándola con su fortuna personal—fortuna ganada durante el intento fallido francés de excavar el canal). El análisis sobre la construcción del canal se hace desde un punto de vista distinto. La audacia, determinación y habilidad de Bunau-Varilla es una verdedera lección de perseverancia sin la cual posiblemente el canal panameño hubiera sido controlado por Alemania. ¡Considérense las ramificaciones de esa posibilidad!
A feisty little French engineer named Philippe Bunau-Varilla inspired by the enormous success and prestige derived from the recently completed Suez Canal, became obsessed with the building of the Panama Canal. Obsessed to the point of fomenting the Panamanian rebellion against Columbia and financing it with his personal fortune—a fortune made in the failed attempt by France to dig the canal. This examination of the building of the canal is seen from a unique point of view. Bunau-Varilla's audacity, determination and ingenuity is a lesson in perseverance, without which the Panama Canal could very well have been German. Consider the ramifications of that!
March 13, 2013
An excelent book from a superb writer! Very good story, I enjoyed very much!
March 10, 2013
¡Excelente libro!
April 17, 2016
While reading Panama Fever by Matthew Parker, Philippe Bunau-Varilla stood out as one of the key people that made the Panama Canal a reality. Parker described Bunau-Varilla as a man that did not write in sentences, but in proclamations. He was the chief engineer of the French canal effort at age 26; he made a fortune by switching from engineer to contractor before the French effort collapsed; and for many reasons stemming from a combination of greed and inspiration he pushed Panama to revolution. And if that was not enough, he secured diplomatic authority from the new Panamanian government and single-handedly negotiated the treaty (the Hay–Bunau-Varilla Treaty) that gave virtual sovereignty of the Canal Zone to America, much to the disgust of the new Panamanian government.
With Bunau-Varilla being such a dynamic character I Took Panama presented the possibility of being a dynamic book. However, it fell short. Rather than achieving a brilliant mix of fiction and history, I Took Panama reads like a historical outline that has been filled in with fiction simply to connect the historical bullet-points. The book was still informative and its factual content enhanced the profile of Bunau-Varilla, but the potential to build on such an imposing and real persona was missed.
All is not lost, however, if one wants to possibly explore this man of proclamations. The notes of this book indicate that at least two books were written by Bunau-Varilla that cover this dynamic period of his life. The first book, Panama, the Creation, the Destruction, and Resurrection was published in 1913 and the second book, From Panama to Verdun was published in 1940, around the time of Bunau-Varilla death.
With Bunau-Varilla being such a dynamic character I Took Panama presented the possibility of being a dynamic book. However, it fell short. Rather than achieving a brilliant mix of fiction and history, I Took Panama reads like a historical outline that has been filled in with fiction simply to connect the historical bullet-points. The book was still informative and its factual content enhanced the profile of Bunau-Varilla, but the potential to build on such an imposing and real persona was missed.
All is not lost, however, if one wants to possibly explore this man of proclamations. The notes of this book indicate that at least two books were written by Bunau-Varilla that cover this dynamic period of his life. The first book, Panama, the Creation, the Destruction, and Resurrection was published in 1913 and the second book, From Panama to Verdun was published in 1940, around the time of Bunau-Varilla death.
April 19, 2016
No quisiera hacer un review de esto, pero creo que ya fastidie a mis padres de tanto comentarles lo loca que es esta historia.
Leí esto porque me lo pidieron en clase. No suelo leer libros con historias de personas reales, sin embargo debo admitir que esta es muy interesante. Con "interesante" me refiero a "loca".
Por un lado, vemos que este señor, Phillipe, estaba obsesionado con terminar el Canal de Panamá. Y desde el principio se nota que no era una mala persona, solo un joven con un sueño o también podríamos llamarle "idea loca", que al final no era tan loca.
La cosa es que a pesar de todo lo que tuvo que pasar para lograr que se culminara su misión, nunca se dio por vencido y como lo dice la sinopsis "creo un país para construir un Canal". Es tan acertado.
Y considero que aunque no debió haber... prácticamente entregado el país a Estados Unidos al firmar el tratado, si no fuera por el, quizás no existiera la República ni el Canal como hoy los conocemos.
Me encanta el Canal so I'm really grateful :-)
(Pensar en todo lo que nos aporta el Canal... ¿Que pasaría si estuviera en Nicaragua y no en Panamá?
Leí esto porque me lo pidieron en clase. No suelo leer libros con historias de personas reales, sin embargo debo admitir que esta es muy interesante. Con "interesante" me refiero a "loca".
Por un lado, vemos que este señor, Phillipe, estaba obsesionado con terminar el Canal de Panamá. Y desde el principio se nota que no era una mala persona, solo un joven con un sueño o también podríamos llamarle "idea loca", que al final no era tan loca.
La cosa es que a pesar de todo lo que tuvo que pasar para lograr que se culminara su misión, nunca se dio por vencido y como lo dice la sinopsis "creo un país para construir un Canal". Es tan acertado.
Y considero que aunque no debió haber... prácticamente entregado el país a Estados Unidos al firmar el tratado, si no fuera por el, quizás no existiera la República ni el Canal como hoy los conocemos.
Me encanta el Canal so I'm really grateful :-)
(Pensar en todo lo que nos aporta el Canal... ¿Que pasaría si estuviera en Nicaragua y no en Panamá?
January 3, 2021
Lectura interesante, entretenida, libro sencillo para leer. La investigación histórica se refleja en sus páginas. Sin dudas leer sobre Bunau-Varilla es sumamente interesante. Un personaje que marcó el nacimiento de la República de Panamá.
Sin dudarlo, la frase el libro es: "Yo tomé Panamá porque Bunau-Varilla me lo sirvió en bandeja de plata." - Theodore Roosevelt
Quizás letras más maduras propondrían una visión más novelada, se nota y valora la novel pluma en todo el escrito. Gracias a su autor por atreverse a plasmar a Bunau-Varilla en este libro.
Sin dudarlo, la frase el libro es: "Yo tomé Panamá porque Bunau-Varilla me lo sirvió en bandeja de plata." - Theodore Roosevelt
Quizás letras más maduras propondrían una visión más novelada, se nota y valora la novel pluma en todo el escrito. Gracias a su autor por atreverse a plasmar a Bunau-Varilla en este libro.
January 30, 2014
Love historical fiction! Great read while visiting the Panama canal
March 28, 2015
Interesante, aunque demasiado breve.
February 10, 2020
Muy buen libro que cuenta, en un formato de novela, como Philippe Bunau-Varilla vendió Panamá a Estados Unidos para su propio beneficio... Ver terminado el Canal de Panamá.
December 18, 2020
Excelente libro , uno de extranjero viviendo en Panama , después de tantos años...muchas cosas siguen igual
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2025
Great read. very well educational.
This is a great and easy read for those of us who think we know the History of the Panama Canal but want to learn more details that Rodolfo Leitón put together in a very entertaining book!
This is a great and easy read for those of us who think we know the History of the Panama Canal but want to learn more details that Rodolfo Leitón put together in a very entertaining book!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews