1846: Portrait of the Nation [Paperback]

Margaret C. S. Christman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 17, 1996

Marking the Smithsonian Institution's 150th anniversary, 1846 evokes the texture of American daily life, thought, and politics during a single influential year. 1846 is being published to coincide with a tie-in exhibition to be seen at the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, from April 12 through August 18, 1996. 188 illustrations, 77 in color.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Introduced by Robert Remini, the notable historian of the Jacksonian era, 1846 showcases contemporary images of America on the verge of realizing its "manifest destiny." The war with Mexico dominated that year and hence the imagery here. Cartoons, daguerreotypes, and paintings capture the action of politicians and generals involved in the conquering of California, while Christman's text outlines the events that instigated the war. Exciting as the war was to people back home, plenty of other trends kept society busy, such as rapid urbanization, the railroad boom, and the movements to abolish slavery and temper the consumption of alcohol. To illustrate those trends, covers of contemporary publications abound, interspersed with portraits of advocates of the cause in question, such as Frederick Douglass. Christman rounds out the volume with the year's best songs and pictures, among the latter Bingham's Jolly Flatboatmen. For the lighter tastes that prefer viewing artifacts to reading Remini-type histories, this book will fill the bill. Gilbert Taylor

Product Details

• Paperback: 212 pages
• Publisher: Smithsonian Institution Press (April 17, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560986743
• ISBN-13: 978-1560986744
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,678,821 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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