Washington's Monument

And the Fascinating History of the Obelisk

Nonfiction, Art & Architecture, Architecture, Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings, History, Americas, United States
Cover of the book Washington's Monument by John Steele Gordon, Bloomsbury Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: John Steele Gordon ISBN: 9781620406526
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Publication: February 2, 2016
Imprint: Bloomsbury USA Language: English
Author: John Steele Gordon
ISBN: 9781620406526
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication: February 2, 2016
Imprint: Bloomsbury USA
Language: English

The colorful story behind one of America's greatest monuments and of the ancient obelisks of Egypt, now scattered around the world.

Conceived soon after the American Revolution ended, the great monument to George Washington was not finally completed until almost a century later; the great obelisk was finished in 1884 and remains the tallest stone structure in the world at 555 feet. The story behind its construction is an intriguing piece of American history, which acclaimed historian John Steele Gordon relates with verve, connecting it to the colorful saga of the ancient obelisks of Egypt.

Nobody knows how many obelisks were crafted in ancient Egypt, or even exactly how they were created and erected, since they are made out of hard granite and few known tools of the time were strong enough to work granite. Generally placed in pairs at the entrances to temples, they have in modern times been ingeniously transported around the world to Istanbul, Paris, London, New York, and many other locations. Their stories illuminate that of the Washington Monument and offer a new appreciation for perhaps the most iconic memorial in the country.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The colorful story behind one of America's greatest monuments and of the ancient obelisks of Egypt, now scattered around the world.

Conceived soon after the American Revolution ended, the great monument to George Washington was not finally completed until almost a century later; the great obelisk was finished in 1884 and remains the tallest stone structure in the world at 555 feet. The story behind its construction is an intriguing piece of American history, which acclaimed historian John Steele Gordon relates with verve, connecting it to the colorful saga of the ancient obelisks of Egypt.

Nobody knows how many obelisks were crafted in ancient Egypt, or even exactly how they were created and erected, since they are made out of hard granite and few known tools of the time were strong enough to work granite. Generally placed in pairs at the entrances to temples, they have in modern times been ingeniously transported around the world to Istanbul, Paris, London, New York, and many other locations. Their stories illuminate that of the Washington Monument and offer a new appreciation for perhaps the most iconic memorial in the country.

More books from Bloomsbury Publishing

Cover of the book The Photographer's Wife by John Steele Gordon
Cover of the book Victorian Photography, Literature, and the Invention of Modern Memory by John Steele Gordon
Cover of the book The Barefoot Navigator by John Steele Gordon
Cover of the book The Book of Beautiful Questions by John Steele Gordon
Cover of the book The Twitter Diaries by John Steele Gordon
Cover of the book God and Evil by John Steele Gordon
Cover of the book Transitional Aesthetics by John Steele Gordon
Cover of the book The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui by John Steele Gordon
Cover of the book The First Step by John Steele Gordon
Cover of the book Smart Public Procurement and Labour Standards by John Steele Gordon
Cover of the book Minimum Contract Justice by John Steele Gordon
Cover of the book Radiant Shimmering Light by John Steele Gordon
Cover of the book War and State-Building in Afghanistan by John Steele Gordon
Cover of the book 401 by John Steele Gordon
Cover of the book Arctic Bf 109 and Bf 110 Aces by John Steele Gordon
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy