Secrets of the C&O Canal: Little-Known Stories & Hidden History Along the Potomac River

by James Rada Jr.

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal runs along the north side of the Potomac River from Cumberland, Md., to Georgetown in the District of Columbia. It is a 184.5-mile-long engineering marvel that has 11 aqueducts, 74 lift locks, 160 culverts, 12 river feeder locks and guard locks, and one tunnel through a mountain. Its history spans the 19th century and is filled with mishaps, crimes, secrets, and drama. · Discover the original destination of the C&O Canal and how far short it stopped. · Find out how building the canal led to the creation of the U.S. Constitution. · Learn how the Johnstown flood helped kill the canal. · Solve the legendary murders on the canal that never actually happened. · Discover the connection between the C&O Canal and the JFK assassination. Secrets of the C&O Little-Known Stories & Hidden History Along the Potomac River tells stories the great rivalry between the B&O Railroad and the canal, the Civil War, and man’s inventiveness. Small Press Bookwatch calls Rada’s writing, “Original, unique, profusely illustrated throughout, exceptionally well researched, informed, informative, and a bit iconoclastic…” He has written about the canal in his novels Canawlers, Between Rail and River, and Lock Ready. It has also been the subject of dozens of his newspaper and magazine articles.

Genres: History

208 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2018

About the author

I am a multi-award-winning journalist and copywriter. I have also written a number of books, both fiction and nonfiction and plan to write even more. I work as a freelance writer in Gettysburg, PA, where I live with my wife and sons.

Reviews

[Linda Solomon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really loved learning about the C&O Canal as I have loved exploring it. However I found the terrible editing such a distraction.

[Dale Bentz · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book could have benefited greatly from a careful editing to correct a plethora of typos, it does provide an informative and interesting history of the C&O canal. It is easy to read and contains numerous supporting photos.

[Clarissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Provide some anecdotes and more information on the canal.. to be read and consulted regularly if you like to the canal and its history. The book is packed with information. It seems written by different persons as there are quite a few repetitions.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, a nice history of the C&O Canal. I learned some things I didn't know about the canal, about why it was built, and what life was like along it. It is a very factual account. Not a lot of Personal Interest type accounts in the book.

[David Sr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. A good read, I like stories about history and I have been a fan of the C & O Canal for years. I recommend for anyone with an interest in the canal and or history.

[Robert Zurn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bike the C&O and enjoyed reading its history in this book.

[Jan Fitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I live up the street from the canal and walk there frequently. Mr. Rada has written a number of books about the canal and the surrounding area in Maryland. I'm learning a lot!