Zone Policeman 88; a close range study of the Panama canal and its workers

"Zone Policeman 88: A Close Range Study of the Panama Canal and Its Workers" by Harry Alverson Franck is a historical snapshot of the Panama Canal's construction during the early 1900s, told through the eyes of a new police recruit. The book paints a picture of the Canal Zone's social scene, highlighting the numerous obstacles the workers faced, and the mix of cultures that emerged around this giant engineering project. From the very beginning, the story introduces our main character pursuing work as a policeman within the Zone; even though lacking military service; his language abilities capture the Captain’s attention. While going through the steps to work in the census department, our character thinks about wanting to physically dig the canal. In the early parts of the book, the unique situations within the Canal Zone are showcased to set the tone for understanding the lives of the workers who built the canal.