Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial (Cornerstones of Freedom (Library))

Rating:
Summary: An informative and inspiring book
Review: "The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial," by Anne Phillips, tells the story behind the monument to one of the United States' most important presidents. The book combines a straightforward text with a wealth of photographs (both color photos and historic black-and-white photos). There is also a map of the memorial.

The book contains a brief biography of FDR and tells the historical story of the memorial from the early planning stage to its dedication in 1997. Philips discusses the contributions of architect Lawrence Halprin and the other creative people who helped give life to the memorial. There are many images of the statues and inscriptions at the memorial. I especially liked the statue of FDR's Scottish terrier, Fala, and the inscription of his Four Freedoms. Phillips also discusses the controversy over whether or not to depict FDR's disability in the memorial.

This book is very educational, and also inspiring. I've never seen the FDR memorial, and this book makes me want to visit it. And that's probably the best compliment I can pay to a book of this nature.