Customer Reviews

Monuments: America's History in Art and Memory

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4 star:		(1)
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As the owner of several of Dupre's earlier books, I was delighted to find that, once again,not only is this book a visual wonder, but the prose is as stunning as the many hauntingly beautiful photographs. The book itself is a work of art--the cover raised in parts to add the kind of sensual experience that one associates with monuments--and the accompanying essays are thoughtful, thought-provoking, and quite moving. I want to stress the writing to any prospective buyer of this book, as all too often the photographs override the reader's experience, and the prose here is lush, clear, and filled with intelligence. Many books on art are marred by flat, dull prose that acts as filler between images, but not so here. Each essay is as evocative as the next, and there is knowledge and wisdom in every line. My personal favorite is a tribute to the author's friend lost in the Vietnam War, which is heartbreaking and funny at once. The best kind of art books are those which make us think as much as they make us look, and Dupre succeeeds on both of these levels. I came away from the book--which I am still poring over--with the sense that this is an author who truly and uniquely understands what it means to be an American in our time.

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.

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.

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.

This fascinating and unusual book is beautifully produced- it would make an excellent gift. It's a kind of treasury of richly detailed visits to a wide variety of different kinds of monuments. Dupre describes each one historically, evoking the powerful emotions behind the monument or memorial so that the original need can be felt and understood. The book gives us access to the people who created these monuments, and for whom they were created. Scholarly and also profoundly intuitive, Judith Dupre understands that a monument is by definition a labor of love, and has given us one.

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.

Judith's books are always enjoyable but there is something especially wonderful about this one. It isn't just history or architecture, she finds the heart of why we remember, the purpose of these places. The histories are told with sensitivity and care, and the dozens of people that inhabit the book are portrayed colorfully and with close observation of their humanity, something usual lacking in ordinary history books. Having been to Manzanar several times and wandered over its acres myself, her narrative touched me and brought alive the people and the time.

I would recommend this book to anyone with even the slightest interest in the human side of history.

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.

If you are not familiar with Judith Dupre's books, you are really missing out! I just got my copy of "Monuments" and it is stunning, amazing and inspiring. The photos are, of course, fabulous, but even more impressive are the essays. I've only read two so far, but Dupre's scholarship, her insights and anecdotes, bring a completely new view of what monuments are meant to express.

Get your copy soon because once you see it, you'll want to order more for Christmas gifts...

Oh yeah, I must also mention, "Monuments" has the coolest cover ever.

This book is more about celebrating life through personal reflection than about the archtectural history of monuments and told through stories of real people, the ordinary and the famous whose lives now resonate deeply in our hearts and souls. I now have a greater appreciation for the role of monuments in our communities. From Gettysburg to Mount Rushmore, The Alamo and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Monuments is architectural historian Judith Dupré's tribute to classic American landmarks. I've only visited a few of the monuments in this book but I'll now go out of my way to visit more. I thought the introduction was one of the best parts of the book, exploring the history and tradition of memorials, why the United States would strive to create so many of their own, why the shape of many memorials is often so traditional, and the behind the scenes politics involved when someone makes changes to that tradition. Dupre includes a total of 38 monuments in detail, but refers to hundreds of others throughout book which also includes over 200 unique and captivating duotone photos. For each monument, Dupre gives a thumbnail sketch of the commemorated event, the design of the monument from an architects perspective, and most enlightening, her wise commentarys regarding cultural and political issues surrounding the building of the monuments, ending with an editorial blurb on how we have treated the monuments since completion. She includes many popular sites, but also includes a few intriguing yet lesser known monuments (at least to us midwesterners) like the Adams Memorial, the Shaw Memorial and the Irish Hunger Memorial, which after reading about them motivates me to keep an eye out for obscure memorials on my next roadtrip. Her insight and anecdotes went beyond historical fact and architectural design to touch upon what is eternal and transcendent about humanity. Her prose touches and lifts my spirit each time I settle down to read the book. A great gift for those who enjoy both travel and history. The good news is you can pick up a hardcover copy for under $10, so I bought two of them.