Monuments: America's History in Art and Memory

by Judith Dupre

Book Overview

From the award-winning, bestselling author of Skyscrapers, Churches, and Bridges comes a stunning visual history that serves as a tribute to classic American landmarks. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1400065828
• ISBN13: 9781400065820
• Release Date: November 2007
• Publisher: Random House
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 3.51 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.3" x 1.1" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Tributes to Heros

Judith Dupre's book is a keeper, a volume to be read and treasured for generations. It's for those with a relative who fought in World War II, and those who have visited Gettysburg, seen the Liberty Bell and marveled at Mount Rushmore. Ms. Dupre infuses major historical events with glowing new life. She fills her pages with interesting facts and profound truths, explaining, for instance, why the triumphant Indian Americans were not commemorated in the first 120 years after the Little Bighorn Battle in Montana. Other battles -- from Gettysburg, World War II, Korea -- yield important cemeteries. Ms. Dupre's presentations range from the familiar (Statue of Liberty) to the unfathomable (Saint-Gaudens's monument to Clover Adams in Washington's Rock Creek Cemetery.) In a book that easily stirs emotions her description of New York City prisoners burying the unclaimed bodies of convicts at Hart Island ("the marginalized are interred by the marginalized with dignity") is especially poignant. The book will be valued by those with connections to these sacred sites, but it belongs in the collections of all who are tuned into American history.

Monuments: Amazing

This book is both thoughtful and captivating. To see Mount Rushmore next to the Texas A & M Bonfire Memorial next to the Viet Nam Memorial gives the reader a breadth of understanding of these places, the memories behind them and the designers. Buy it.

A new view with "Monuments"

Judith Dupre's book has changed the way I think about monuments. Living in Washington, DC, this is not easy to do. I see famous monuments every day, and already know the history behind most of the city's statues and buildings. I have lots of books that detail their inception, creation, etc. But MONUMENTS has me thinking more about the how each piece expresses "the dreams of history." I highly recommend this book, not just for its wonderful text and gorgeous photos (the cover is very tactile and appealing, too)but because it really makes you stop and think about how people chose to communicate through structure and ways that we should express ourselves to future generations.

beautiful

Monuments is an outstanding work. The sheer beauty of this book shines on every page. It is something to not just leave on a coffee table and admire but to also sit down, page by page and enjoy. It is like an American sightseeing tour in print.

Wonderful

In order to prepare for the Mount Auburn photo shoot for Monuments: Americas History in Art and Memory I had an advance copy of that important sites essay to guide and inspire my seeing as a photographer. When I finished reading the essay I had an idea that the book was going to be special. Now that the book has hit the bookshelves and I have had an opportunity to spend some time with it I must say my early predications were understated - Monuments is wonderful! The text is informative and insightful the photography is stunning. The author has a wonderful way of making you feel at home with the material she makes it personal. In the end Monuments is about remembering, one of the most human of traits.