Love Letters from Mount Rushmore: The Story of a Marriage, a Monument, and a Moment in History

by Richard Cerasani

Relates the experience of sculptor Arthur Cerasani as he worked with Gutzon Borglum and his son, Lincoln Borglum on the Mount Rushmore National Memorial in 1940.

195 pages, Hardcover

First published May 31, 2014

Reviews

[Mary Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richard Cerasani recounts the story of his parents letters while his father was working at Mount Rushmore during it's construction. His mother was in New York with their two small children and no income. The pictures of the diary and letters is important.

[Peggy Hanzlik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading a little unknown history of the difficulties on families working on the monument.

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

FASCINATING book! What a beautiful love story. Plus, I learned a lot about Mount Rushmore that I didn't know. I highly recommend this book.

[Jennifer Mcintyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richard Cerasani has compiled and written a wonderful story. A behind-the-scenes look at the finals stages of the carving at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial "Love Letters" uses photographs, letters and artifacts that have never been seen before. Cerasani also gives readers insight into what it was like to live in the USA during this time period, when the world was in turmoil, and families were still dealing with the effects of the Great Depression. Highly recommend to the reader who will enjoy a first-hand account of the building of this national monument.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good memoir of a 6 month period in the life of the authors' parents brought to life with actual letters and photographs. I am so glad Richard Cerasani took the time to publish these family heirlooms. It is truly amazing how frank and honest Arthur and Mary Cerasani were in their daily correspondence which provides us with a glimpse into the emotional issues confronting their generation. The only negative I can express is that I would now like more information about Mt. Rushmore so I better understand its construction.

[Truman Bullard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was deeply moved by this book. When we think of the words
"the greatest generation" we must apply them not only to the
men and women of the Armed Forces in World War II, but to heroes
like Arthur and Mary Cerasani whose integrity, endurance, and faith
in moral living is profoundly inspiring. I recommend this book to
others very heartily.