Customer Reviews

Who's Buried in Grant's Tomb? : A Tour of Presidential Gravesites

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Who's buried in Grant's tomb is an interesting guide filled with small histories on each American president. The book contains accurate directions to help you find presidential gravesites, museums and libraries. Furthermore, the book contains addresses where you can write for additional information on each site and even includes website addresses when applicable. I have toured a few of these historical locations myself and have found the information in this book to be especially helpful in providing hours of operation as well as admission prices to some of these places. The book might appear a little morbid when you consider that it focuses on presidential burial sites but once you read it, you quickly find out that it provides a doorway for you to study the human side of these men. By visiting their homes graves and museums, you realize that they are not merely cold icons that you read about in history. They were very real with interesting lives and this book invites you to study their legacies.

At first, reading this book may sound morbid and creepy (that's what people told me) but this book is a great history lesson and VERY interesting. Each president receives about 2 pages, so it's not too long or drawn out and is perfect if you are not into reading novels with long chapters. Each man receives equal billing, even the lesser known presidents and a full color picture of each gravesite is pictured as well. I am not even a true history buff but this book caught my eye and I really enjoyed it. I learned alot, too ~ like the fact that Abe Lincoln's public viewing lasted 20 DAYS as his body was moved from town to town via train until it got to its final resting place. I amaze my family and friends with all my new found knowledge!

When you take knowledgeable historians and focus them on such a finite topic, you're bound to come away with lots of fascinating tidbits and stories to keep your interest all the way through. That's exactly what you get here. I've been known to wander through cemetaries in search of famous people myself, so it's nice to know I'm not alone in my macabre interests. All the chapters are well-written, particularly the short epilogue to each as done by Richard Norton Smith. The concluding essay by Douglas Brinkley also hits home. I particularly thought it clever that, along with the photographs of each presidential gravesite (and future gravesites), the authors included photos from the graves of Jefferson Davis and David Rice Atcheson (reported to have been president of the U.S. for 1 day). It's great as either a travel guide or just as a historical reference.

Before reading Brian Lamb's terrific book about Presidential gravesites, I counted the number of these sites that I had visited....11 to be exact. Now, after finishing the book, I want to visit the remaining ones. Mr. Lamb's ability to teach us about the lives (and in this case, the deaths) of these remarkable public servants goes well beyond C-Span. He has crafted a most enjoyable and educational book...one that should be in every home. This is a book that can be read at almost any pace...each chapter is short and well-laid out. He reminds us that every president has been important in some way because of the fact that they have all held the highest office in America... not just Washington, Lincoln and the Roosevelts, but Fillmore, Arthur and Taft as well. How important is must have been, for instance, for the children of the nation to donate their pennies to build the Harding Memorial in Marion, Ohio. The death of a president is a major event in our country's history and Mr. Lamb (along with chapter postscripts by Richard Norton Smith, who further humanizes our presidents) has succeeded in a winning form with his book. I found nothing maudlin or morose about "Who's Buried in Grant's Tomb"...only a colorful walk through America's past.

Owning other books on Presidential sites and history, I found Brian Lamb's book to be head and shoulders above the others. Not only is the quality of the writing superior, but the photos are beautiful also. The book is written in the straightforward and informative style one would expect from Mr. Lamb. I enjoyed this book so much I have bought other copies for gifts!

It was amazing to see how the presidents came "alive" in my class of eighth graders when I shared with them how they had died. They especially liked hearing the "last words" and looking at the marvelous photographs of the presidents' tombstones. In fact, the book was so popular, I've had to order an additional copy.

Count me in among those who collect presidential gravesites. Though I've only been to eight so far (plus two, Nixon's and Reagan's, before they were, um, occupied), I'm looking forward to visiting others when I get the chance. When I do, this will be the ideal, even essential, guidebook.

I thoroughly agree with Douglas Brinkley's argument, in the Afterword to this book, that there's nothing morbid about hunting down presidential resting places. Rather, it's a way to connect with American history as well as contemplate the ends to which we all must come. I'm sure that for some, given our troubling tendency toward sanctifying the office and the men in it, it can mean more than that. But the estimable Brian Lamb doesn't fall into that trap. And for that, he should be commended.

Each president listed here receives a brief mention of his term in office, with more focus on the circumstances of his death and burial. Comprehensive directions to the site and several photographs round out each listing. It's an excellent presentation, entertaining and informative all at once. I highly recommend it even to those who haven't (yet) become an official "collector." It's an interesting and fun way to learn more about our country and the men who have led our government.

"Who's Buried in Grant's Tomb?" is a tour of the presidential gravesites with contributions by Richard Norton Smith and Douglas Brinkley, photographs by Brian Lamb.

Forty-one men and a great adventure is a good way to discribe this book as we read on in this book about the final resting places of 41 of the U.S. Presidents, only Geogre W. Bush is not mentioned and with the recent death of Ronald Wilson Reagan the book is a little out dated. Other than that this, this book shows and tells you where to look for the gravesites of the U.S. Presidents both dead or alive.

I found "Who's Buried in Grant's Tomb?" to be a very informative and well planned out book with very good information, if you like to explore old cemeteries, take heart with this book. This book is the companion to the C-SPAN's American Presidents: Life Portraits television series. Forty-one men (42 with G.W. Bush) have held the highest office in the land and each have made a choice as to how and where they wish to be remembered.

The pictures are very well taken and show how the gravesites are today and it's a gateway to American history in the making, helping us to learn more about the men who held the office of President of the Untied States of America. "Who's Buried in Grant's Tomb?" is full of interesting facts like what happened to the presidents post-White House, their deaths and their funerals.

If you're like me and you want to learn more about the people who held the office of president, then this book is a welcome addition to your home library and is an excellent guide to vacations to some interesting cities throughout the United States. "Who's Buried in Grant's Tomb?" is a solid 5 star book. There are forty-eight pages of color photographs and there is a complete guide providing travelers with all the information needed to visit the graves and libraries of the presidents.

This book does not immediately give one the impression that it would be as good as it is. My first impression from the cover was that it would be just a compilation of unknown facts and surprises about famous people ,things and places.Then, after noting the sub-title "A Tour of Presidential Gravesites";I thumbed through it and immediately saw it was a very good summary of all the Presidents,their time in office,their wives,what they did after leaving office,the cause of their death,funeral arrangements,interm and final resting places and detailed information for anyone who would like to visit any or all of them. From this book you will learn what to expect at the sites as well as what else exists as 'museums'
there,hours open and any admission costs.It also details other final resting places of other known personalities nearby.
Lamb does an excellent job of showing that in the American system of Government, the President is one of the people and remains so; even after his term of serving in the world's greatest office; he returns to being just another American Citizen;a point often made by President Harry S Truman.
One of the things I liked about this book was that the author didn't just put together a bunch of readily information to fill a few pages on each President.He provided all the same information for each President, and in doing that;he makes it very evident that these were highly different people and comparisons are clearly brought out.A guide of this type where things are given about one President ,but not another, would be a lazy approach and frustrating to the reader.
In a very thumbnail manner the author shows that all these Presidents put the privilige of holding the office above all the politics involved in their lives.
I have to admit,that the answer to the title,s question,left me wondering until I saw the answer in another Cusromer,s Review.
If I may,here is something to entice you;
What President was the sole mourner at the committal of a politician,who had gone to jail for tax evasion; and when asked by the pastor; "Mr. President,why are you here?, he asked. "It's cold and bitter. Did you know this gentleman?" The President replied; "Pastor,I never forget a friend."
Anyone interested in American History or Politics will find this a great source of information and a readily available reference source. While a super guide to the Presidents' graves ;it is also a good reference.

This book is the only book I have ever read in less than 24 hours. It is, by far, the most interesting and best Non-Fiction book I have ever read. It is a must for Presidential Buffs like me!