The Statue of Liberty Encyclopedia [Hardcover]

Barry Moreno (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 10, 2000

She needs no introduction. For decades, she's been the world's leading icon of democracy. Four million people visit her each year. She is the very symbol of America. But how well do we really know the Statue of Liberty? Did you know, for instance, that her origin dates back to Roman antiquity? Or that New York narrowly beat out Philadelphia for the right to house her? Or that her nose is three feet, eight inches long?

In time to celebrate Lady Liberty at the millennium, this gorgeous encyclopedia is sure to satisfy the countless requests historian Barry Moreno has received to deliver the first full-scale reference ever written on the Statue of Liberty. As its name implies, "The Statue of Liberty Encyclopedia" promises to answer every possible question about our famous monument. Featuring an abundance of little-known but fascinating aspects and curiosities about the statue's history, the book also presents a vast collection of illustrations -- many never before published -- ranging from the amusing to the poignant to the pa-triotic. Stops on this visual tour include Betty Grable making a visit to the statue, antique autogyros flying overhead, and a gravity-defying glimpse of Liberty's spiraling inner armature.

"The Statue of Liberty Encyclopedia" is not just the history of one monument but the story of our nation and its far-reaching cultural and ideological roots. Elegant and eloquent, the book will stand as an emotional, educational, and entertaining testament to the statue's enduring significance.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Expert historian and librarian at the Statue of Liberty Monument and Ellis Island since 1988, Moreno has crafted the first comprehensive reference book about one of America's most familiar symbols. Offering entries from "Edmond Fran ois Valentin About," friend of Auguste Bartholdi (who sculpted the Statue of Liberty) to "Zoaves," the colorfully attired Civil War soldiers who marched through Manhattan in the statue's inaugural parade in 1886, this work is an intriguing compendium of photographs, facts, and statistics that purports to answer every conceivable question on this beloved monument. Each page is beautifully illustrated with reproductions of paintings, drawings, posters, cartoons, photographs, and documents integral to the statue's history, many of which are published here for the first time. (Although the illustrative material is identified, the source of the material is not.) Information in one entry encourages browsing in related entries, and there are many cross references. This work is full of fascinating facts. For instance, most readers are unaware that the model for the statue was Bartholdi's mother, Charlotte, or that the statue almost went to Boston. No separate bibliography is included, but the narrative under the entry "Literature" gives a brief, chronological history of major publications focusing on the Statue of Liberty or individuals closely allied with her, such as Bartholdi, Edouard de Laboulaye, or Gustave Eiffel. The extraordinary breadth of topics covered weaves a story of more than just a monument; the cultural and ideological circumstances of our nation are clearly and compellingly presented. Recommended for all public libraries.DKathleen M. Conley, Illinois State Univ., Normal
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

An attractive treatment, popular rather than research oriented, with numerous illustrations and A-Z entries from About, Edmond Francois Val entin (a friend of the statue's sculptor) to Zouaves (a unit of soldiers who marched in the Statue of Liberty inaugural parade). RBB
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (October 10, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684862271
• ISBN-13: 978-0684862279
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 9.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,526,180 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Liberty Book since 1986!, October 8, 2000

By 

B. Snyder (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Statue of Liberty Encyclopedia (Hardcover)

Finally, a book worth having! There were a lot of books published between 1984 and 1986 for the statue's centennial and only a few were worth having. This newly published book is a must have for the Statue of Liberty collector, historian, or proud American.

"The Statue of Encyclopedia, serves as the first ever top-to-bottom reference on one of the most beloved national monuments. Barry Moreno, the premier expert and historian of the Statue of Liberty, leads readers on a comprehensive, beautifully illustrated A-to-Z tour. Featuring an abundance of little-known but fascinating aspects and curiosities about her history, the book also includes a vast collection of photographs - many never before published."

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every American should own this., September 22, 2000

By 

eugene j kuziw (Union, NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Statue of Liberty Encyclopedia (Hardcover)

Whether you're political, or artistic, every American should own this book. What does the Statue of Liberty mean to you? An intangible concept that is broken down into encyclopedia form for scholars and us regular folks to digest. There are dozens of books about the Statue, but I found this one is by far the most comprehensive and the pictures are of outstanding quality. Highly recommended.