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Where Valor Rests: Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery spreads across the rolling hills west of the Potomac, a serene and reverent sanctuary for the presidents, soldiers, and heroes—famous and unsung alike—who lie in eternal rest among its green lawns and quiet glades, a roster dating back to America's birth and including many of the foremost names in our history. A national monument in the truest sense, Arlington's solemn beauty embraces a brave legacy—a heritage remembered and renewed every day as the military buries its own.
Bittersweet, breath-taking, sometimes heart-wrenching, always deeply respectful, this commemorative book guides readers gently over tree-lined slopes to share the ceremonies observed throughout the year, from the traditional wreath-laying on Memorial Day, which enshrines centuries of courage with a formality at once austere and profoundly emotional, to the moving graveside services that honor individual men and women who served our country. Captured in stunning color by a select group of gifted photographers, 220 unforgettable images create a portrait as poignant as it is proud.
Archival photographs also trace the history of the cemetery from the early National Historic Monument, "Arlington House," to the eternal flame at the Kennedy grave to sections for the lost astronauts and victims of the 9/11 Pentagon attack. With an Introduction by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Rick Atkinson, this lovely volume is both a fitting tribute and a stirring reminder of the values we Americans hold dear.
Bittersweet, breath-taking, sometimes heart-wrenching, always deeply respectful, this commemorative book guides readers gently over tree-lined slopes to share the ceremonies observed throughout the year, from the traditional wreath-laying on Memorial Day, which enshrines centuries of courage with a formality at once austere and profoundly emotional, to the moving graveside services that honor individual men and women who served our country. Captured in stunning color by a select group of gifted photographers, 220 unforgettable images create a portrait as poignant as it is proud.
Archival photographs also trace the history of the cemetery from the early National Historic Monument, "Arlington House," to the eternal flame at the Kennedy grave to sections for the lost astronauts and victims of the 9/11 Pentagon attack. With an Introduction by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Rick Atkinson, this lovely volume is both a fitting tribute and a stirring reminder of the values we Americans hold dear.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published May 15, 2007
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306 people want to read
About the author
Rick Atkinson
41 books1,770 followersRick Atkinson is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of seven works of history, including The Long Gray Line, the Liberation Trilogy (An Army at Dawn, The Day of Battle, and The Guns at Last Light), and The British Are Coming, the first volume of the Revolution Trilogy. His work as a historian and journalist has won numerous awards, including three Pulitzer Prizes.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 18, 2011
It's rare that a cemetery guidebook makes me cry, but the photos of families saying their final goodbyes in Where Valor Rests did me in. In fact, Where Valor Rests was a joint project created by the National Geographic and Arlington National Cemetery, designed to be given away to families as a keepsake when they bury a loved one. I imagine they will eventually come to treasure the book, but it must be immensely painful in the depth of your grief to page through it.
The book reveals much that has been hidden about Arlington, interviewing the Cemetery Ladies who console families, as well as the gravediggers, musicians who play Taps, and honor guards who accompany the caisson and fire the last salute. It's rare that a cemetery guide pays any attention to the staff, so I appreciated the background glimpses.
That said, I wish the photos had followed a single funeral from stepping onto the cemetery grounds through final disposition, but it is possible, I think, to piece a composite ritual together out of disparate images and chapters. I'm not sure why the editors chose to break the events apart and spread them throughout the book. Much is made of the honor attendants feel while participating in funerals. I would have felt the same honor to watch them at their work.
Since the book was published by National Geographic, you can be certain that the photos within are exquisite, ranging throughout the seasons and spanning the hours, revealing the cemetery at dawn, in the moonlight, and aglow with autumn. I prefer the color images to those taken in infrared, where the straight lines of identical headstones lose their mystique. One of my favorite images is the cemetery seen from a military flyover, revealing the ways the gravestones follow the contours of the hilly ground.
This is a truly beautiful and fascinating book, a welcome addition to my collection.
The book reveals much that has been hidden about Arlington, interviewing the Cemetery Ladies who console families, as well as the gravediggers, musicians who play Taps, and honor guards who accompany the caisson and fire the last salute. It's rare that a cemetery guide pays any attention to the staff, so I appreciated the background glimpses.
That said, I wish the photos had followed a single funeral from stepping onto the cemetery grounds through final disposition, but it is possible, I think, to piece a composite ritual together out of disparate images and chapters. I'm not sure why the editors chose to break the events apart and spread them throughout the book. Much is made of the honor attendants feel while participating in funerals. I would have felt the same honor to watch them at their work.
Since the book was published by National Geographic, you can be certain that the photos within are exquisite, ranging throughout the seasons and spanning the hours, revealing the cemetery at dawn, in the moonlight, and aglow with autumn. I prefer the color images to those taken in infrared, where the straight lines of identical headstones lose their mystique. One of my favorite images is the cemetery seen from a military flyover, revealing the ways the gravestones follow the contours of the hilly ground.
This is a truly beautiful and fascinating book, a welcome addition to my collection.
February 3, 2013
Photographs and essays about what goes into maintaining the grounds and preparing for a military funeral. I cried at the dedication and care that is put into each and every funeral.
April 10, 2022
This book is given to everyone that has someone interred in Arlington National Cemetery. Every person living in this country should read it because it is all about the America that I love. Photography was done by several people, some in color and some in black and white; it made you feel a part of what Arlington National Cemetery too. This is a patriotic book. No politics at all.
What is amazing is how many soldiers are required to do their job at Arlington; putting new shoes on one of the horses, scrubbing the tombstones, trimming the trees (150 of them), and playing the bugle. They are all extremely dedicated to their job. There is an orderly precision in what each of them do to honor all that rest there.
Arlington opened in 1864, and they have land to house soldiers until 2060, and can acquire more if they need to (hopefully not). 24/7 The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is guarded in specific patterns around it in 1/2 hour shifts. The changing of the guard is something I have seen, and it squeezes the breath out of you. About two dozen funerals take place each day. Here you will find two presidents, privates, 16 astronauts, 11 Supreme Court Justices, Five-Star Generals, and those unknown soldiers. There are more than 370 recipients of the Medal of Honor, and ten times more that were fugitive or liberated slaves, known just as "citizen" on their headstones.
About four and a half million visit this sacred place each year.
Arlington is a living monument. It is a "shrine to valor". "It represents the values of America and of those at rest beneath ever headstone".
What is amazing is how many soldiers are required to do their job at Arlington; putting new shoes on one of the horses, scrubbing the tombstones, trimming the trees (150 of them), and playing the bugle. They are all extremely dedicated to their job. There is an orderly precision in what each of them do to honor all that rest there.
Arlington opened in 1864, and they have land to house soldiers until 2060, and can acquire more if they need to (hopefully not). 24/7 The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is guarded in specific patterns around it in 1/2 hour shifts. The changing of the guard is something I have seen, and it squeezes the breath out of you. About two dozen funerals take place each day. Here you will find two presidents, privates, 16 astronauts, 11 Supreme Court Justices, Five-Star Generals, and those unknown soldiers. There are more than 370 recipients of the Medal of Honor, and ten times more that were fugitive or liberated slaves, known just as "citizen" on their headstones.
About four and a half million visit this sacred place each year.
Arlington is a living monument. It is a "shrine to valor". "It represents the values of America and of those at rest beneath ever headstone".
January 29, 2016
My parents, grandparents, uncle, and college roommate are all buried there.One day my husband and I will be too.
May 30, 2021
How fitting that I would end up reading this during this Memorial Day weekend. A beautiful book, full of history and amazing photography. I cried at many moments while working my way through. It cemented my desire to visit one day soon. The history of this hallowed ground is amazing and sad. And the photographs are breathtaking.
October 5, 2017
Breathtaking. Moving. Historical. Educational. Photographically stunning. Heartwrenching. So many feelings - highly recommend spending a few hours reading this. It will be time well spent.
March 13, 2016
I love this book. My family has a history of military service(myself, my great uncle, my father, my uncle, my wife, her father and both of her grandfathers, our oldest son, and still serving today, our youngest son). Fortunately our family has not lost anyone in all of these years of service. Arlington and in turn this book are great reminders of the sacrifice others have made for all Americans. The service members, staff and volunteers who keep Arlington running are an inspiration and I am proud to own this book which tells the story of this hallowed ground.
While beautiful words and photographs abound in this book, I only rated it four stars because I was disappointed by the execution and layout. It feels as if a somber topic and some great work was thrown together without the same thought and caring that Arlington itself is know to provide. Maybe the next edition will get it right. That being said, I would still buy this book.
While beautiful words and photographs abound in this book, I only rated it four stars because I was disappointed by the execution and layout. It feels as if a somber topic and some great work was thrown together without the same thought and caring that Arlington itself is know to provide. Maybe the next edition will get it right. That being said, I would still buy this book.
October 9, 2007
This book is a great for anybody that has been to the Arlington National Cemetery. The book shows what it take to behind the secens. A wonderful coffee table book.
September 12, 2015
Beautifully done. I learned many things about the cemetery and its origins. The photography is top notch and the essay reads deep. A great read/look even if you've been to Arlington.
September 10, 2016
A beautiful book of photographs and essays that captures the spirit of Arlington.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews