Guy Gugliotta covered Congress during a sixteen-year career as a national reporter for "The Washington Post "and for the last six years has been a freelance writer. He has written for "The New York Times," "National Geographic," "Wired, Discover," and "Smithsonian. "He is the coauthor of "Kings of Cocaine."
[A] meticulously detailed history . . . Ironies abound. "Abigail
Meisel, The New York Times Book Review" The construction of the
[United States] Capitol as the world has known it since Freedom'
was put in place in the late autumn of 1863 is a story unto itself
. . . and Guy Gugliotta tells it superbly in "Freedom's Cap" . . .
With this book, he joins that estimable group of non-professional
historians who have revived the practice of narrative history, one
cherished by serious readers . . . Gugliotta writes lucidly and
engagingly, he brings to life a huge cast of characters, he
captures the physical setting of Washington in the mid-19th century
and the mood of a city where every transaction seemed to be
poisoned by the issue of slavery, ' and he has done a stupendous
amount of research . . . Gugliotta has paid the great building, and
the people who did so much to bring it into being, handsome tribute
indeed. "Jonathan Yardley, The Washington Post" Guy Gugliotta, in
his splendid new book . . . gives us a fascinating tale of the
struggles to design, fund and construct the new Capitol . . .
Gugliotta deftly weaves a narrative of the difficult and massive
construction project and the politics surrounding it. "Al Kamen,
The Washington Post" [A] painstakingly researched, thoroughly
intriguing historical detective story . . . [Gugliotta] adeptly
orchestrates the intricate re-creation of a stormy episode in a
particularly tempestuous era . . . "Freedom's Cap" is a classroom
model of historical investigation and writing, the narrative
colorful and captivating in its minutest detail. "Dale L. Walker,
The Dallas Morning News" [A] fascinating new book . . . A tale of
political intrigue, famous personalities, technological innovations
and bitter feuds, all under the pervasive shadow of slavery and the
threat of secession and Civil War . . . Gugliotta tells the story
well. "Steve Raymond, The Seattle Times" Excellent and exhaustive .
. . Mr. Gugliotta deftly demonstrates . . . how
everything--"everything"--was political, from the shape and size of
the dome that ultimately capped the building to the statuary,
paintings and furnishings inside it. "Roger K. Miller, Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette" [An] intensely researched historical gem . . .
Gugliotta has turned out a superb mixture of mid-19th-century
American culture and technology with the turbulent history of the
period. "Publishers Weekly (starred review)" A prodigiously
researched, generously illustrated account of the transformation of
the U. S. Capitol from a cramped, cold, noisy, inadequate and ugly
structure into today's massive marble symbol of democracy . . .
There are surprises on virtually every page . . . Impressive
research underlies a well-told story. "Kirkus Reviews (starred
review)" An engrossing and surprising chronicle that shifts between
the rebuilding of the Capitol and the slow disintegration of the
Union . . . This is a superbly written account. "Jay Freeman,
Booklist" Wonderfully detailed . . . Gugliotta's research and
narrative are outstanding, and one of the best aspects of
"Freedom's Cap "is the side alleys and byways of the story that he
uncovers. "William C. Davis, History Book Club" In this fascinating
and well-written narrative, Guy Gugliotta tells the story of the
rebuilding of the U.S . Capitol, an enterprise that occupied more
than a decade before and during the Civil War. Combining the
history of politics, art, and engineering, it shows how the
monumental project's party, personal, and sectional rivalries
reflected the crisis, and triumph, of a divided nation. "Eric
Foner, DeWitt Clinton Professor of History, Columbia University,
and Pulitzer Prize winning author of The Fiery Trial: Abraham
Lincoln and American Slavery" In this splendidly researched and
engagingly written new book, Guy Gugliotta deftly tells the
intimately connected stories of the construction of the Capitol and
the destruction of the Union. This is an original and compelling
tale of how history really happens. "Jon Meacham, former editor of
Newsweek and Pulitzer Prize winning author of American Lion: Andrew
Jackson in the White House" This fascinating narrative ties
together America's preeminent architectural symbol and its most
wrenching struggle. The building of the Capitol dome, an expression
of unity, occurred as the nation was tearing itself apart in the
lead-up to the Civil War. Guy Gugliotta's deeply researched tale
features Montgomery Meigs and Jefferson Davis, whose partnership
and subsequent clash mirrored their turbulent times. "Walter
Isaacson, former chairman and CEO of CNN and author of Steve
Jobs""
"[A] meticulously detailed history . . . Ironies abound." --Abigail
Meisel, "The New York Times Book Review
""The construction of the [United States] Capitol as the world has
known it since 'Freedom' was put in place in the late autumn of
1863 is a story unto itself . . . and Guy Gugliotta tells it
superbly in "Freedom's Cap" . . . With this book, he joins that
estimable group of non-professional historians who have revived the
practice of narrative history, one cherished by serious readers . .
. Gugliotta writes lucidly and engagingly, he brings to life a huge
cast of characters, he captures the physical setting of Washington
in the mid-19th century and the mood of a city where 'every
transaction seemed to be poisoned by the issue of slavery, ' and he
has done a stupendous amount of research . . . Gugliotta has paid
the great building, and the people who did so much to bring it into
being, handsome tribute indeed." --Jonathan Yardley, "The
Washington Post
""
""Guy Gugliotta, in his splendid new book . . . gives us a
fascinating tale of the struggles to design, fund and construct the
new Capitol . . . Gugliotta deftly weaves a narrative of the
difficult and massive construction project and the politics
surrounding it." --Al Kamen, "The Washington Post
""[A] painstakingly researched, thoroughly intriguing historical
detective story . . . [Gugliotta] adeptly orchestrates the
intricate re-creation of a stormy episode in a particularly
tempestuous era . . . "Freedom's Cap"" "is a classroom model of
historical investigation and writing, the narrative colorful and
captivating in its minutest detail." --Dale L. Walker, "The Dallas
Morning News
""[A] fascinating new book . . . A tale of political intrigue,
famous personalities, technological innovations and bitter feuds,
all under the pervasive shadow of slavery and the threat of
secession and Civil War . . . Gugliotta tells the story well."
--Steve Raymond, "The Seattle Times
""Excellent and exhaustive . . . Mr. Gugliotta deftly demonstrates
. . . how everything--"everything"--was political, from the shape
and size of the dome that ultimately capped the building to the
statuary, paintings and furnishings inside it." --Roger K. Miller,
"Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
""[An] intensely researched historical gem . . . Gugliotta has
turned out a superb mixture of mid-19th-century American culture
and technology with the turbulent history of the period."
--"Publishers Weekly "(starred review)
"A prodigiously researched, generously illustrated account of the
transformation of the U. S. Capitol from a cramped, cold, noisy,
inadequate and ugly structure into today's massive marble symbol of
democracy . . . There are surprises on virtually every page . . .
Impressive research underlies a well-told story." --"Kirkus Reviews
"(starred review)
"An engrossing and surprising chronicle that shifts between the
rebuilding of the Capitol and the slow disintegration of the Union
. . . This is a superbly written account." --Jay Freeman,
"Booklist
""Wonderfully detailed . . . Gugliotta's research and narrative are
outstanding, and one of the best aspects of "Freedom's Cap "is the
side alleys and byways of the story that he uncovers." --William C.
Davis, History Book Club
"In this fascinating and well-written narrative, Guy Gugliotta
tells the story of the rebuilding of the U.S . Capitol, an
enterprise that occupied more than a decade before and during the
Civil War. Combining the history of politics, art, and engineering,
it shows how the monumental project's party, personal, and
sectional rivalries reflected the crisis, and triumph, of a divided
nation." --Eric Foner, DeWitt Clinton Professor of History,
Columbia University, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "The
Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln""and American Slavery
""In this splendidly researched and engagingly written new book,
Guy Gugliotta deftly tells the intimately connected stories of the
construction of the Capitol and the destruction of the Union. This
is an original and compelling tale of how history really happens."
--Jon Meacham, former editor of "Newsweek "and Pulitzer
Prize-winning author of "American Lion: Andrew Jackson""in the
White House
""This fascinating narrative ties together America's preeminent
architectural symbol and its most wrenching struggle. The building
of the Capitol dome, an expression of unity, occurred as the nation
was tearing itself apart in the lead-up to the Civil War. Guy
Gugliotta's deeply researched tale features Montgomery Meigs and
Jefferson Davis, whose partnership and subsequent clash mirrored
their turbulent times." --Walter Isaacson, former chairman and CEO
of CNN and author of "Steve Jobs"
"The construction of the [United States] Capitol as the world has
known it since 'Freedom' was put in place in the late autumn of
1863 is a story unto itself . . . and Guy Gugliotta tells it
superbly in "Freedom's Cap" . . . With this book, he joins that
estimable group of non-professional historians who have revived the
practice of narrative history, one cherished by serious readers . .
. Gugliotta writes lucidly and engagingly, he brings to life a huge
cast of characters, he captures the physical setting of Washington
in the mid-19th century and the mood of a city where 'every
transaction seemed to be poisoned by the issue of slavery, ' and he
has done a stupendous amount of research . . . Gugliotta has paid
the great building, and the people who did so much to bring it into
being, handsome tribute indeed." --Jonathan Yardley, "The
Washington Post
""Guy Gugliotta, in his splendid new book . . . gives us a
fascinating tale of the struggles to design, fund and construct the
new Capitol . . . Gugliotta deftly weaves a narrative of the
difficult and massive construction project and the politics
surrounding it." --Al Kamen, "The Washington Post
""[A] painstakingly researched, thoroughly intriguing historical
detective story . . . [Gugliotta] adeptly orchestrates the
intricate re-creation of a stormy episode in a particularly
tempestuous era . . . "Freedom's Cap"" "is a classroom model of
historical investigation and writing, the narrative colorful and
captivating in its minutest detail." --Dale L. Walker, "The Dallas
Morning News
""[A] fascinating new book . . . A tale of political intrigue,
famous personalities, technological innovations and bitter feuds,
all under the pervasive shadow of slavery and the threat of
secession and Civil War . . . Gugliotta tells the story well."
--Steve Raymond, "The Seattle Times
""Excellent and exhaustive . . . Mr. Gugliotta deftly demonstrates
. . . how everything--"everything"--was political, from the s
"Guy Gugliotta, in his splendid new book . . . gives us a
fascinating tale of the struggles to design, fund and construct the
new Capitol . . . Gugliotta deftly weaves a narrative of the
difficult and massive construction project and the politics
surrounding it." --Al Kamen, "The Washington Post" "[A]
painstakingly researched, thoroughly intriguing historical
detective story . . . [Gugliotta] adeptly orchestrates the
intricate re-creation of a stormy episode in a particularly
tempestuous era . . . "Freedom's Cap"" "is a classroom model of
historical investigation and writing, the narrative colorful and
captivating in its minutest detail." --Dale L. Walker, "The Dallas
Morning News" "[A] fascinating new book . . . A tale of political
intrigue, famous personalities, technological innovations and
bitter feuds, all under the pervasive shadow of slavery and the
threat of secession and Civil War . . . Gugliotta tells the story
well." --Steve Raymond, "The Seattle Times""" "Excellent and
exhaustive . . . Mr. Gugliotta deftly demonstrates . . . how
everything--"everything"--was political, from the shape and size of
the dome that ultimately capped the building to the statuary,
paintings and furnishings inside it." --Roger K. Miller,
"Pittsburgh Post-Gazette" "[An] intensely researched historical gem
. . . Gugliotta has turned out a superb mixture of mid-19th-century
American culture and technology with the turbulent history of the
period." --"Publishers Weekly "(starred review) "A prodigiously
researched, generously illustrated account of the transformation of
the U. S. Capitol from a cramped, cold, noisy, inadequate and ugly
structure into today's massive marble symbol of democracy . . .
There are surprises on virtually every page . . . Impressive
research underlies a well-told story." --"Kirkus Reviews "(starred
review) "An engrossing and surprising chronicle that shifts between
the rebuilding of the Capitol and the slow disintegratio
"In this fascinating and well-written narrative, Guy Gugliotta
tells the story of the rebuilding of the U.S . Capitol, an
enterprise that occupied more than a decade before and during the
Civil War. Combining the history of politics, art, and engineering,
it shows how the monumental project's party, personal, and
sectional rivalries reflected the crisis, and triumph, of a divided
nation." --Eric Foner, DeWitt Clinton Professor of History,
Columbia University, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "The
Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln""and American Slavery
""In this splendidly researched and engagingly written new book,
Guy Gugliotta deftly tells the intimately connected stories of the
construction of the Capitol and the destruction of the Union. This
is an original and compelling tale of how history really happens."
--Jon Meacham, former editor of "Newsweek "and Pulitzer
Prize-winning author of "American Lion: Andrew Jackson""in the
White House""
""This fascinating narrative ties together America's preeminent
architectural symbol and its most wrenching struggle. The building
of the Capitol dome, an expression of unity, occurred as the nation
was tearing itself apart in the lead-up to the Civil War. Guy
Gugliotta's deeply researched tale features Montgomery Meigs and
Jefferson Davis, whose partnership and subsequent clash mirrored
their turbulent times." --Walter Isaacson, former chairman and CEO
of CNN and author of "Steve Jobs""""""[An] intensely researched
historical gem . . . Gugliotta has turned out a superb mixture of
mid-19th-century American culture and technology with the turbulent
history of the period." --"Publishers Weekly "(starred review)"A
prodigiously researched, generously illustrated account of the
transformation of the U. S. Capitol from a cramped, cold, noisy,
inadequate and ugly structure into today's massive marble symbol of
democracy . . . There are surprises on virtually every page . . .
Impressive research underlies a well-t
"This fascinating narrative ties together America's preeminent
architectural symbol and its most wrenching struggle. The building
of the Capitol dome, an expression of unity, occurred as the nation
was tearing itself apart in the lead up to the Civil War. Guy
Gugliotta's deeply researched tale features Montgomery Meigs and
Jefferson Davis, whose partnership and subsequent clash mirrored
their turbulent times." --Walter Isaacson, former chairman and CEO
of CNN and author of "Benjamin Franklin: An American Life "and
"Steve Jobs""In this splendidly researched and engagingly written
new book, Guy Gugliotta deftly tells the intimately connected
stories of the construction of the Capitol and the destruction of
the Union. This is an original and compelling tale of how history
really happens." --Jon Meacham, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for
"American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House""In this
fascinating and well-written narrative, Guy Gugliotta tells the
story of the rebuilding of th
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