The Carving of Mount Rushmore

One of the first things that makes this a great book is the author’s writing style. It’s very conversational and flows extremely well. The main selling point of this book, though, is how much there is to learn about Mount Rushmore. This monument has an incredible rich and deep history, and the people who made it happen had fascinating stories. It’s a true testament to the power of American ingenuity and a fitting record of the people who made this tribute to the nation’s founders.

I found this book fascinating! I blew through this book faster than many other books I have read. Well written, easy to read and really enjoyed the photos inside the book as Mount Rushmore was coming together. 2 thumbs up!

Mr. Smith's book gives the total picture of the dynamics that went into the creating of Mount Rushmore. Beyond just the unbelievable effort of the artist, Mr. Smith supplies us with the many other factors that make an effort such as this possible; support, funding, political, environmental, geography and most important, why the monument was created at this location. Then there are the lives of everyone associated with the project; from the artist to the lowest member of the many teams that are brought into the story to make the reader feel that they were there from the beginning to the completion. The author's inclusion of personal interviews with some of these people provides glimpses into rapidly fading history. The book was so compelling that I want to return to the Black Hills to see first hand all that I missed from lack of knowledge on by previous 3 visits. This is a must reading before visiting Mount Rushmore.

The Carving of Mount Rushmore is, quite obviously, about the carving of Mount Rushmore. However, it is much more than this, because Smith discusses the creation of this national monument in the context of its time and through the eyes of the creators. Central to this story is the sculptor, Gutzon Borglum, who was a man possessed by ambition and perfection. His is the name that is generally associated with the monument. However, there were many others who were central in the creation, including those in government, business and the actual men who worked on the carving. Each of these is placed very much in the context of the time and place. If you have an interest in Mount Rushmore, this is a very worthwhile read.

Smith writes an engrossing tale about how Doane Robinson decided it would be a good idea to have sculptures created in the Needles of the Black Hills to bring in tourists, and how eccentric carver Gutzon Borglum took his idea over. It is amazing that Mount Rushmore ever was carved, with everyone being most concerned about getting it done their way, and no one paying enough attention to whether or not there was enough money to get it done.