About:
A Biography of a Mountain: The Making and Meaning of Mount Rushmore by Matthew Davis tell the history of the famous monument, and the burden it carries. Mr. Davis is a journal and a published author.
- 336 pages
- Publisher : St. Martin’s Press
- Language : English
- ISBN-10 : 1250285100
My rating for A Biography of a Mountain by Matthew Davis – 4
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Thoughts:
Mt. Rushmore has always represented America to me. I credit my stamp collection (a “stamp” is a colorful sticker one puts on an envelope to let the Postal Service know you paid) when I was around eight years old. About 50 years later I finally got to see the monument … and it was amazing!!!
A Biography of a Mountain by Matthew Davis is not just a book about sculpting, but also about the history of the region, and the United States relations with Native Americans. Th is not just the story of a sculpture into a rock, but a complex symbol whose meaning depends on your interpretation.
A lot of the book involves the sculptor, Gutzon Borglum, how he came up with the idea, getting political backing and, of course, financing. Just as much space is devoted to the struggle and history of the Lakota Sioux. There’s a brief overview from the Battle of Little Bighorn (Custer’s Last Stand), the Wounded Knee Massacre, and a series of broken promises and treaties.
But this is not a simple history book, it’s a very personal story told from the point of view the author, those he writes about and their decadents – by blood or spirit. The book ask the reader to reflect on what Gutzon Borglum chose to memorialize, and how that idea changed with time and society’s understanding of history.
The book ends with the 2020 visit of President Trump to the monument, his speech, its politicization, and how it was seen from point of view of Native American activists. The narrative is not a easy one to read, but it should be.
I enjoyed a book which asked me to think without preaching, while blending an excellent narrative and meticulous research. Mt. Rushmore is, and seems like it always will be, and American icon until nature takes its course. It’s an amazing monument to the country, but with a complicated history.
Buy A Biography of a Mountain from Amazon.com*
More books by Matthew Davis*
Zohar — Man of la Book
Disclaimer: I got this book for free
*Amazon links point to an affiliate account, the money is usually spent on books
