Looking for historical fiction about people building something. Maybe a bridge or a dam, a ship or a mine. Military stuff would also be OK, as long as the focus is on the engineering and not the fighting. I want juicy details of how exactly the thing works, mixed with a cool plot.
Set anywhere from ancient times to 1800 or so (before machines). Historical fantasy is also ok, as long as problems aren't just solved by magic.
I've read the pillars of the earth and other books like that, I would prefer the engineering project to be anything but a cathedral.
by vaintransitorythings