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The Smithsonian: 150 Years of Adventure, Discovery, and Wonder
488 illustrations in text
432 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1995
1 person is currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
James Conaway
28 books7 followersJames Conaway is a former Wallace Stegner fellow at Stanford University, and the author of thirteen books, including Napa at Last Light and the New York Times bestseller, Napa: The Story of an American Eden. His work has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic, Harper's, The New Republic, Gourmet, Smithsonian, and National Geographic Traveler. He divides his time between Washington, DC, and California.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
January 29, 2014
There are some museums that you want to visit again and again, either because of their spectacular displays or because of the vast knowledge they contain. The Smithsonian museums are among that list because of those things and more. They are some of the most visited, most internationally known buildings, but so many people go through the doors without knowing the amazing story behind how those doors came to open for them. I was among those numbers until I read this book.
James Conaway opened my eyes to more than just the contents of the collections that I had seen as a child. This book takes you back in time to when the idea of the Smithsonian began with a simple donation from James Smithson and continues into the present day. Through this book we can relive what the United States did with the money that funded "the increase and diffusion of knowledge", which is simply spectacular. We could have created just another simple building with just another collection of specimens or pile of stones, but instead, we have the Smithsonian Institution.
Like a perfectly designed display, this book combines text and stunning photography to guide readers through history and draw them in as if they were living it. Don't be afraid to share this history with your children. Even the youngest will enjoy living through the images they see, even if they can't read the full text of the book. If you can't tour the museums, this is the next best thing, and if you can go, read this book before you enter. It will enhance your experience one hundred percent. For my part, I can say that it made me plan another trip to Washington for the single purpose of seeing every building under the name Smithsonian.
James Conaway opened my eyes to more than just the contents of the collections that I had seen as a child. This book takes you back in time to when the idea of the Smithsonian began with a simple donation from James Smithson and continues into the present day. Through this book we can relive what the United States did with the money that funded "the increase and diffusion of knowledge", which is simply spectacular. We could have created just another simple building with just another collection of specimens or pile of stones, but instead, we have the Smithsonian Institution.
Like a perfectly designed display, this book combines text and stunning photography to guide readers through history and draw them in as if they were living it. Don't be afraid to share this history with your children. Even the youngest will enjoy living through the images they see, even if they can't read the full text of the book. If you can't tour the museums, this is the next best thing, and if you can go, read this book before you enter. It will enhance your experience one hundred percent. For my part, I can say that it made me plan another trip to Washington for the single purpose of seeing every building under the name Smithsonian.
Displaying 1 of 1 review