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The Statue of Liberty: A Transatlantic Story (Icons of America) Kindle Edition
“If you think you know all there is to know about the Statue of Liberty, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.”—The New York Times
When the crated monument first arrived in New York Harbor, few could have foreseen the central place the Statue of Liberty would come to occupy in the American imagination. In this book, cultural historian and scholar of French history Edward Berenson tells the little-known stories of the statue’s improbable beginnings, transatlantic connections, and the changing meanings it has held for each successive generation.
He tells of the French intellectuals who decided for their own domestic political reasons to pay tribute to American liberty; the initial, less-than-enthusiastic American response; and the countless difficulties before the statue was at last unveiled to the public in 1886. The trials of its inception and construction, however, are only half of the story. Berenson also shows how the statue’s symbolically indistinct, neoclassical form has allowed Americans to interpret its meaning in diverse ways—as representing the emancipation of the slaves, Tocqueville’s idea of orderly liberty, opportunity for “huddled masses,” and, in the years since 9/11, the freedom and resilience of New York City and the United States in the face of terror.
Includes photos and illustrations
“Endlessly fascinating.”—Louisville Courier-Journal
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherYale University Press
- Publication dateMay 29, 2012
- File size6302 KB
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“This important work examines not only the evolution of the statue, but the ever-evolving American relationship to freedom and immigration. Berenson here explores the wide range of perceptions that gave the statue meaning and voice—from its very conception, through its contemporary status as a beloved (yet fraught) American icon.”—Melissa J. Martens, Museum of Jewish Heritage -- Melissa J. Martens
“Who knew what a history lies behind the Statue of Liberty, winding through the American Civil War, the Paris Commune, the determination of its creator Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and the hucksterism of Joseph Pulitzer? Edward Berenson re-creates the narrative with fascinating detail and personal warmth.”—Joyce Appleby, author of The Relentless Revolution: A History of Capitalism -- Joyce Appleby
“Edward Berenson, a professor of history at New York University, has written a highly readable history. . . . His book is meticulously researched and crisply written.”— Larry Cox, Tucson Citizen -- Larry Cox ― Tucson Citizen
"There is no better symbol to represent the long friendship between France and the United States than the Statue of Liberty. Edward Berenson’s fascinating new book brings to light the various meanings the Statue has held since its creation more than 125 years ago."—François Delattre, Ambassador of France to the United States -- François Delattre
“If you think you know all there is to know about the Statue of Liberty, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by Edward Berenson’s The Statue of Liberty: A Transatlantic Story.”—Sam Roberts, New York Times -- Sam Roberts ― New York Times
“Arriving shortly after the 125th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty’s dedication, Ed Berenson’s charming and eminently readable book is itself a cause for celebration. Offering fascinating insights into the origins, controversies, challenges, and achievements associated with this most familiar icon of the American dream of freedom, The Statue of Liberty reminds us that while the journey towards freedom is rarely smooth, the ever-evolving symbolic power of the Colossus of New York Harbor endures, because the aspiration for liberty is fundamental to our humanity. On 9/11, this 'mighty woman' stood as witness to devastation and mass murder; standing tall and unharmed in the harbor overlooking the wounded skyline of this great city, the statue originally envisioned as 'Liberty Enlightening the World' now takes on new meaning as a beacon of resilience and renewal.”—Alice M. Greenwald, Director, National September 11 Memorial Museum -- Alice M. Greenwald
Selected as a Choice Outstanding Academic 2012 Title for subcategory North America within the Social and Behavioral Sciences category. -- Outstanding Academic Title ― Choice Published On: 2013-05-22
“Edward Berenson’s The Statue of Liberty is cultural history at its finest. As Berenson shows with verve and discernment, the Statue of Liberty is a highly contested memory site. Thus throughout its history, the statue has functioned as a litmus test or projection screen for competing conceptions of American freedom. Artfully constructed and gracefully written, Berenson’s book is destined to become the standard work on Lady Liberty’s legacy.”—Richard Wolin, author of The Wind from the East: French Intellectuals, the Cultural Revolution, and the Legacy of the 1960s -- Richard Wolin
“This is a remarkable book because so much of the story it tells is unexpected. Everyone thinks they know the Statue of Liberty, but they are wrong. Ed Berenson follows her surprising history from start to finish in a fast-paced and highly readable tale that never disappoints. The great colossus finds her place in nineteenth-century artistic production and technology as well as in recent popular culture and politics. Rather than ending with the statue’s unveiling, Berenson follows the story right up to the present day, showing how the Lady's meaning has changed from one generation to the next. At times humorous, at other moments elegiac, The Statue of Liberty is utterly spellbinding and a jewel of microhistorical analysis.”—Ruth Harris, author of Dreyfus: Emotion, Politics and the Scandal of the Century, winner of the Wolfson Prize -- Ruth Harris
“Berenson’s contribution is in pointing out how this symbol has continued to engage Americans’ imagination. . . . Readers interested in the statue’s treatment in domestic popular culture will want to consult Berenson.”—Frederick J. Augustyn Jr., Library of Congress -- Frederick J. Augustyn Jr. ― Library of Congress
An “endlessly fascinating read.”—Louisville Courier-Journal ― Louisville Courier-Journal
About the Author
Edward Berenson is professor of history, director of the Institute of French Studies, and director of the Center for International Research in Humanities and Social Sciences, New York University. His previous books include Heroes of Empire: Five Charismatic Men and the Conquest of Africa. He lives in Irvington, NY.
Product details
- ASIN : B0080GUW7C
- Publisher : Yale University Press; Illustrated edition (May 29, 2012)
- Publication date : May 29, 2012
- Language : English
- File size : 6302 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Sticky notes : On Kindle Scribe
- Print length : 244 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: #930,569 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #376 in Landmarks & Monuments
- #613 in 21st Century History of the U.S.
- #664 in History of France
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In "The Statue of Liberty: A Transatlantic Story" you will meet the small cadre of men in France who conceived and executed this improbable project. There were so many obstacles to overcome. Berenson does a workmanlike job of describing the political climate back in 1865 and why these men were so motivated to propose such a gift from France to the United States. Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, a talented young sculptor was the visionary who really conceptualized the Statue and would become the driving force to see this project to its completion over two decades later. Bartholdi drew his inspiration from several existing works of art and Berenson has included a number of these images in his book. It was Bartholdi who selected Bedloe's Island in New York Harbor as the site for his masterpiece. In 1881 Bartholdi enlisted the services of the noted French architect and engineer Gustave Eiffel to help with the design of the internal structure of the Statue. Meanwhile, support for the project on this side of the pond was lukewarm at best. For the most part the elites were simply not interested. As the Statue of Liberty neared completion funds were urgently needed to construct the pedastal on Bedloe's Island. Enter New York newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer whose appeal to the common man was wildly successful. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886.
But the story of the Statue of Liberty does not end there. It would be some time before the Statue of Liberty would become associated with immigration. Edward Berenson chronicles the events that made this happen. Over the years the politics of immigration would become downright ugly and Berenson includes a number of political cartoons and images of the Statue that are extremely disturbing to say the least. Perhaps the most offensive is a cartoon that appeared in "The New York Evening Telegram" on September 10, 1892 called "Dregs of Europe". Here Lady Liberty is seen holding her nose as boatloads of immigrants arrive from countries like Italy and Poland. Berenson has also included a number of images of how the Statue of Liberty has been depicted in various advertising campaigns over the decades. A few are flattering.....most are defintely not. Finally, Berenson tells the story of how Emma Lazurus' sonnet "A New Colossus" wound up on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty in 1903. "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses" has taken on a whole new significance during our recent struggles with immigration issues in America.
"The Statue of Liberty: A Transatlantic Story" turned out to be everything I thought it would be and more. I learned an awful lot. Thank you Edward Berenson for a thoughtful, scholarly and extremely informative look at one of America's greatest icons. This is a book that should appeal to both history buffs and general readers alike. Very highly recommended!