Washington's monument : and the fascinating history of the obelisk John Steele Gordon

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Gordon, John Steele, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Washington Monument (Washington, D.C.)--History.

Washington Monument (Washington, D.C.).

Washington, George, 1732-1799--Monuments--Washington (D.C.).

Washington, George.

Washington (D.C.)--Buildings, structures, etc.

Washington (D.C.).

Physical Description:

229 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

New York : Bloomsbury USA, 2016.

Summary:

"Conceived soon after the American Revolution ended, the great monument to George Washington was not finally completed until almost a century later; the great obelisk was finished in 1884, and remains the tallest stone structure in the world at 555 feet. The story behind its construction is a largely untold and intriguing piece of American history, which acclaimed historian John Steele Gordon relates with verve, connecting it to the colorful saga of the ancient obelisks of Egypt. Nobody knows how many obelisks were crafted in ancient Egypt, or even exactly how they were created and erected since they are made out of hard granite and few known tools of the time were strong enough to work the stone. Generally placed in pairs at the entrances to temples, they have in modern times been ingeniously transported around the world to Istanbul, Paris, London, New York, and many other locations. Their stories illuminate that of the Washington Monument, once again open to the public following earthquake damage, and offer a new appreciation for perhaps the most iconic memorial in the country"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Preface: A fascinating shape

The Father of his country

The gift of the Nile

Building a stump

Stealing obelisks

Paris and London take their prizes

Reaching the top

Securing New York's moral grandeur

Into the twenty-first century.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 215-216) and index.

ISBN:

9781620406502 (hardback)

1620406500 (hardback)

OCLC:

907966075

Publisher Number:

40025727920

Online:

Cover image