The Smithsonian Institution is America's largest; most important; and most beloved repository for the objects that define our common heritage. Now Under Secretary for Art; History; and Culture Richard Kurin; aided by a team of top Smithsonian curators and scholars; has assembled a literary exhibition of 101 objects from across the Smithsonian's museums that together offer a marvelous new perspective on the history of the United States.Ranging from the earliest years of the pre-Columbian continent to the digital age; and from the American Revolution to Vietnam; each entry pairs the fascinating history surrounding each object with the story of its creation or discovery and the place it has come to occupy in our national memory. Kurin sheds remarkable new light on objects we think we know well; from Lincoln's hat to Dorothy's ruby slippers and Julia Child's kitchen; including the often astonishing tales of how each made its way into the collections of the Smithsonian. Other objects will be eye-opening new discoveries for many; but no less evocative of the most poignant and important moments of the American experience. Some objects; such as Harriet Tubman's hymnal; Sitting Bull's ledger; Cesar Chavez's union jacket; and the Enola Gay bomber; tell difficult stories from the nation's history; and inspire controversies when exhibited at the Smithsonian. Others; from George Washington's sword to the space shuttle Discovery; celebrate the richness and vitality of the American spirit. In Kurin's hands; each object comes to vivid life; providing a tactile connection to American history.Beautifully designed and illustrated with color photographs throughout; The Smithsonian's History of America in 101 Objects is a rich and fascinating journey through America's collective memory; and a beautiful object in its own right.
#49706 in Books Cheney Lynne 2015-05-05 2015-05-05Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.39 x 1.19 x 5.44l; .0 #File Name: 0143127039576 pagesJames Madison A Life Reconsidered
Review
35 of 35 people found the following review helpful. Madison as founder; husband and friend in an excellent biographyBy Daniel PutmanMany years ago I read Ralph Ketcham’s biography of Madison with (at least at that time) its somewhat unusual gray cover. The book presented an image of Madison analogous to the cover. Ketcham’s biography is a scholarly richly detailed study of Madison’s life but I left the book not really knowing Madison as a human being and with a sense of the man as brilliant and incisive but not a particularly interesting person. Lynne Cheney’s biography is a completely different reading experience. She is an excellent writer who grabs the reader’s attention and never lets go. Cheney not only gives us the philosopher and political genius that was Madison but; through his letters; an excellent sense of the man. Madison was a husband to one of the most dynamic women in early America and a deeply close friend to one of the most controversial figures; Jefferson. Cheney lays out those relationships in rich detail. While I had to force myself at times to finish Ketcham’s book; never once did this book leave me cold. It is an exceptional biography.Another advantage of Cheney’s book is that it provides a strong counterweight to the portrayal of Madison in Chernow’s biography of Hamilton. In that book Madison is quite consistently (after 1790) portrayed negatively because of his hostile relationship to Hamilton as Secretary of the Treasury. This book gives you the other side. Cheney explains the issues clearly and fairly. None of the other Founding Fathers lived as long as Madison or went through so many changes in roles; from author of the Bill of Rights and much of the Constitution itself to Congressman to President. Madison’s failures and inconsistencies; from his slave ownership to his problems as President; are here put into context. Cheney nowhere justifies Madison’s weaknesses but lets the reader see the development and historical issues surrounding them; often through Madison’s own words. This is an enlightening book not just about Madison but about life in colonial America. Though I had some concerns prior to reading the book about the author’s own political context; there is absolutely no political bias in this book. If the reader is looking for a book that humanizes one of the greatest minds in early American history; this is it. It is one of the best historical biographies on the market. I highly recommend it.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Long-Due Recognition For A Founder Of Our CountryBy Frank LewandowskiBravo; Lynne Cheney!In this readable book; the author shows James Madison's heavy involvement in the creation of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. He also wrote a number of the Federalist papers; late 1700's essays on the role of government. The book chronicles Madison's political career from member of the Continental Congress to U.S. Congressman to chief advisor to our first president; George Washington to secretary of state under president Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson's administration made the Louisiana Purchase; doubling the size of the United States.Finally; Madison became president; our fourth. He made the decision to go to war against Britain in the War of 1812; the first war involving the United States since the Revolution. The war included a naval attack on an American fort that resulted in Francis Scott Key's writing the poem that eventually became the words to our national anthem. After surviving a fierce battle "our flag was still there." This was an enormous flag with stars that were two feet wide.Later in the war; the British burned our nation's capital. The U.S. fought on; achieving a major victory at the Battle of New Orleans in 1815.The book details how America was dis-respected during its early years with Britain; France and the North African Barbary pirates seizing or destroying our nation's ships. British sea captains would board American ships and impress some of the sailors into the British Navy. But over time the U.S. grew stronger and more confident; becoming an emerging power.Cheney also discusses Madison's family life and the popularity and influence of his wife; Dolley. This is a engaging portrait of the early United States as told within the context of Madison's life.223 of 241 people found the following review helpful. Third Side of the Great Triumvirate Revealed!By I.A.I am not an historian; so I will write as an avid pedestrian reader. I grew up in an age when the founding fathers were still on a pedestal and had not yet been deconstructed into mere mortals. But now comes the age of the great re-deification of the founding fathers; and I couldn't be happier. We have wonderful books galore about Washington ("The Secret Six" being one of my newer favorites); Jefferson (who survived the Sally Hemings drumming and has reclaimed his rightful position via "The Art of Power" and other tomes); and of course McCullough's "John Adams;" all of which give wonderful depth and complexity to their subjects. Now we have Cheney's "James Madison" to round out this quartet. I'll admit it was a little difficult at first to take this book seriously--after all; how hard would it be for Mrs. Dick Cheney to get a book published? However; after skimming the first few pages I was hooked; and completely forgot about her famous husband. Although Cheney is not a faculty member at a prestigious college (the usual candidacy to author this type of tome); she has a sizzling intellect; a beautiful; engaging turn of phrase; elegant pacing; crystal clear organization; and just the right use of quotes to convey her arguments. I was amazed at how the book danced along; giving ample substance where needed; but never losing its momentum and readability. In this age where there are few real heroes (Bonhoeffer and Mandela come to mind); we would do well (especially as Americans; not ashamed to admit it) to clarify and and reinforce our understanding of these special men and how they came together to act as a force for great change.
