Customer Reviews

The Carving of Mount Rushmore

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Smith writes an engrossing tale about how Doane Robinson decided it would be a good idea to have sculptures created in the Needles of the Black Hills to bring in tourists, and how eccentric carver Gutzon Borglum took his idea over. It is amazing that Mount Rushmore ever was carved, with everyone being most concerned about getting it done their way, and no one paying enough attention to whether or not there was enough money to get it done.

I found this book fascinating! I blew through this book faster than many other books I have read. Well written, easy to read and really enjoyed the photos inside the book as Mount Rushmore was coming together. 2 thumbs up!

Mr. Smith's book gives the total picture of the dynamics that went into the creating of Mount Rushmore. Beyond just the unbelievable effort of the artist, Mr. Smith supplies us with the many other factors that make an effort such as this possible; support, funding, political, environmental, geography and most important, why the monument was created at this location. Then there are the lives of everyone associated with the project; from the artist to the lowest member of the many teams that are brought into the story to make the reader feel that they were there from the beginning to the completion. The author's inclusion of personal interviews with some of these people provides glimpses into rapidly fading history. The book was so compelling that I want to return to the Black Hills to see first hand all that I missed from lack of knowledge on by previous 3 visits. This is a must reading before visiting Mount Rushmore.

If you are looking for the best book on the construction of Mt. Rushmore, you need not look any further. This is an excellent resource that details how construction was performed with excellent illustrations. The book tells the entire story of the artist Gutzon Borglum and his life. The book also details the political turmoil involved in financing the project. It is fascinating to think this was constructed and financed as the country was deep in the depression. The entire story is told in this book, and I am convinced, you, as the reader, will love this book as much as I did. This book is one to keep on your book shelf for generations.

The Carving of Mount Rushmore is, quite obviously, about the carving of Mount Rushmore. However, it is much more than this, because Smith discusses the creation of this national monument in the context of its time and through the eyes of the creators. Central to this story is the sculptor, Gutzon Borglum, who was a man possessed by ambition and perfection. His is the name that is generally associated with the monument. However, there were many others who were central in the creation, including those in government, business and the actual men who worked on the carving. Each of these is placed very much in the context of the time and place.

If you have an interest in Mount Rushmore, this is a very worthwhile read.

This unusual historic landmark in the Black Hills of South Dakkota composed of carved granite was completed in fourteen years from formation to completion. In 1925, Mt. Rushmore was approved by federal legislation and the four former presidents selected to be immortalized were chosen. To gain national prominence, first Lincoln and then Washington made the list, then Jefferson made the group, but why Theodore Roosevelt. Of course, he's hid in the corner with the other heads having prominent locations. I'd thought perhaps he was the reining U. S. President at the time the carvings took fruition.

Calvin Coolidge was the nation's president in 1927 and pledged federal support for the enormous project out West. The fact is that Teddy (who encouraged folks to "carry a big stick") had bought up a lot of "cowboy" land forty years earlier and this was his reward. It was his cousin FDR who represented the family in 1936 when the Jefferson head was dedicated.
This was a big project which took a long time from start to "finish."]

In 1933, a new site to Washington's head is found for the Jefferson head. The rock on the other side was too weak. In 1935, the surface for the Roosevelt and Lincoln faces was determined. In 1936, the Jefferson head is dedicated. The Lincoln head is dedicated the next year, 1937. The Roosevelt head is dedicated in 1939 with special lighting. On October 31, 1941, the last day of carving took place. Because of America's impending involvement in WWII affected funding and the monument was declared complete, dispite Lincoln's head was left unfinished.
It was not until 1939 that Roosevelt's head was dedicated (with special lighting); after all, he was designated the position behind the others. Built during the Depression at a total cost of $989,992.32 (almost a million dollars) and declared finished, bypassing Lincoln's head on October 31, 1941. Is it a wonder of the world or someone's folly.