This book combines illustration and narrative writing in describing the broad history of the Cape Cod Canal. Dalton begins by detailing the inclinations of Miles Standish to tame the Cape Cod Bay in the 1620's. He goes on to explain George Washington's motivations in sending James Bowdoin to survey the Cape Cod area. Dalton describes the impact of the Civil War on the Canal project, which caused it to be abandoned for a time. Then he follows with an explanation of the Lockwood Company's failed attempt to build the Canal in the 1880's, and the dawning of a new project leadership in August Belmont and William Barclay Parsons. Dalton then transcribes testimonials from project leaders Parsons and Captain J.W. Miller. Dalton concludes the book by listing some of the interesting facts about the Canal. The photographs in this book do not parallel Dalton's description of the Canal's history, rather they document the construction efforts on the Canal.
