Description
Book Synopsis: A leading expert on the past, present, and future of public monuments in America.An urgent and fractious national debate over public monuments has erupted in America. Some people risk imprisonment to tear down long-ignored hunks of marble; others form armed patrols to defend them. Why do we care so much about statues? Which ones should stay up and which should come down? Who should make these decisions, and how?Erin L. Thompson, the country’s leading expert in the tangled aesthetic, legal, political, and social issues involved in such battles, brings much-needed clarity in Smashing Statues. She lays bare the turbulent history of American monuments and its abundant ironies, from the enslaved man who helped make the statue of Freedom that tops the United States Capitol, to the fervent Klansman fired from sculpting the world’s largest Confederate monument—who went on to carve Mount Rushmore. And she explores the surprising motivations behind contemporary flashpoints, including the toppling of a statue of Columbus at the Minnesota State Capitol, the question of who should be represented on the Women’s Rights Pioneers Monument in Central Park, and the decision by a museum of African American culture to display a Confederate monument removed from a public park.
Written with great verve and informed by a keen sense of American history, Smashing Statues gives readers the context they need to consider the fundamental questions for rebuilding not only our public landscape but our nation as a whole: Whose voices must be heard, and whose pain must remain private? 20 illustrations
Details
Discover the fascinating and timely exploration of America's public monuments with "Smashing Statues: The Rise and Fall of America's Public Monuments." In this gripping book, acclaimed author Erin L. Thompson delves into the intricate history, complex politics, and socio-cultural significance of these iconic structures that have sparked passionate debates nationwide. Uncover the stories behind these monuments and the individuals who shaped them, from the enslaved craftsmen behind the statue of Freedom on the United States Capitol, to the controversial figures involved in the creation of Mount Rushmore.
Embrace the opportunity to engage in the pressing issues of our time as Thompson unveils the motivations behind current controversies, like the removal of a Columbus statue at the Minnesota State Capitol and the representation debate surrounding the Women's Rights Pioneers Monument in Central Park. Gain valuable insight into the decisions made by a museum of African American culture to exhibit a Confederate monument taken down from a public park. Through this thought-provoking content, "Smashing Statues" offers readers a well-rounded understanding of the challenges we face in rebuilding our public landscape and creating a more inclusive nation.
With its vivid prose and historical expertise, "Smashing Statues" captivates readers, compelling them to reflect on questions that are at the heart of our society. Whose voices should be prioritized in decisions about public monuments? How can we reconcile our past with our present? Join Erin L. Thompson on this intellectual journey that combines passion with knowledge, as she guides us toward a brighter future. Order your copy of "Smashing Statues" today and be part of the national conversation.
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