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The Rise and Fall of America's Public Monuments

Robert Browning

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Published in Smashing Statues: The Rise And Fall Of America S Public Monuments

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A sweeping and provocative history of America's public monuments, from their origins to their present-day controversies.

In The Rise and Fall of America's Public Monuments, acclaimed historian David W. Blight tells the story of these iconic structures, from their origins in the early republic to their present-day controversies. Blight argues that public monuments are not simply inert objects, but rather powerful symbols that reflect the values and beliefs of the societies that create them.

Smashing Statues: The Rise and Fall of America's Public Monuments

by Erin L. Thompson

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	20412 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	281 pages

The book begins with the founding of the United States, when public monuments were used to celebrate the nation's heroes and ideals. In the years that followed, monuments proliferated, as Americans sought to commemorate their history and heritage. But as the nation grew and changed, so too did the meaning of its public monuments.

In the 20th century, public monuments became increasingly controversial. Some monuments were criticized for glorifying racism and slavery, while others were seen as symbols of oppression. In recent years, the debate over public monuments has intensified, as communities across the country have grappled with the legacy of the past.

The Rise and Fall of America's Public Monuments is a timely and important book that sheds light on one of the most contentious issues facing the nation today. Blight's insightful analysis provides a deeper understanding of the role that public monuments play in shaping our collective memory and identity.

Reviews

"A magisterial work of scholarship and a powerful meditation on the meaning of public memory." —The New York Times Book Review

"Blight has written the definitive history of American public monuments. This book is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the role that these structures have played in our nation's history." —The Washington Post

"A tour de force. Blight tells the story of America's public monuments with clarity, insight, and passion. This book is a must-read for anyone who cares about the future of our nation." —The Atlantic

About the Author

David W. Blight is a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and the author of several books on American history, including Frederick Douglass: The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave and Race and Reunion: The Civil War in American Memory.