The Museum: Behind the Scenes

by Rupert Smith, Neil MacGregor (Foreword by)

Egyptian mummies, Michaelangelo's drawings, sculptures from Greece and Rome, exquisite porcelain from China, bronze masterpieces from Africa, the remarkable finds from Sutton Hoo - these are just some of the awe-inspiring objects in the British Museum's famous collections. But the Museum is more than just a treasure house: it is a London landmark, a tourist magnet, a national and international resource- a museum of the world for the world.





Keeping this remarkable institution running is a team of 1000 staff who supervise the galleries, plan major exhibitions and manage a flow of nearly 5 million visitors a year. Rupert Smith has been granted special access to the huge variety of people who work in the Museum, including expert curators, conservators, heavy-object handlers and the people who clean the fabulous new glass roof of the Great Court.





Accompanying a major ten-part BBC television series, The Museum takes us behind the scenes for the first time to see how this amazing place works. Illustrated with over 120 colour photographs, and with a foreword by the Museum's director, Neil MacGregor, this fascinating book is a celebration of the British Museum and the many dedicated people who work there.

Genres: Art, History

192 pages, Hardcover

First published February 27, 2007

About the author

General Sir Rupert Smith retired from the British Army in 2002. His last appointment was Deputy Supreme Commander Allied Powers Europe 1998-2001, covering NATO's Balkan operations, including the Kosovo bombing, and the development of the European Defence and Security Identity.

Prior to that he was the general Officer Commanding in Northern Ireland, 1996-1998; Commander UNPROFOR in Sarajevo, 1995; the Assistant Chief of Defence Staff for Operations, 1992-1994; and General Officer Commanding 1 (UK) Armoured Division, 1990-1992, including the Gulf War.

He was educated at the Haileybury and Imperial Service College and later at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rupert_S...
http://www.carnegiecouncil.org/people...

Reviews

[Sophie Crane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Very interesting book that allows you to prepare your visit to the museum well. Here you will find the most important works of the museum.

[Ernest · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good book. It combined information about artefacts with history about the museum, the people, its place in British history and society and the role it plays within the broader World. The objects that chart the history of humanity may not all be big and physically impressive, but their place in history and in giving a glimpse of the past is still fascinating. Based on the book, I am very interesting in viewing the TV that this book accompanies and in visiting the British Museum if I ever travel to that country.