While Panama can be enjoyed thoroughly as a good detective story, an understanding of the real-life Henry Adams makes the historical accuracy of the novel that much more impressive. Interested readers should consult Zencey's most important source about Adams's life and interests, The Education of Henry Adams. This autobiographical account provides historical and philosophical details about Adams and both parts figure equally in importance in the narrative. Another work by Henry Adams, MontSaint-Michel and Chartres is evidence of Adams's fascination with architecture that Zencey portrays in Panama.

Knowledge of Henry Adams's life and philosophy will give the reader a preliminary understanding of some of the historical background of the novel. However, the best way to develop a keen understanding of some of the novel's finer points and to get a clearer sense of Zencey's own focus as a social ecologist is to read his essay collection...