On Hallowed Ground: The Story of Arlington National Cemetery
“Poole’s book tells the stories of many of those buried in 70 sections across these rolling hills just across the Potomac from Washington, D.C.On Hallowed Groundis part history lesson, part tourist guide, part mystery novel.”—USAToday“Engaging … Robert Poole is an adroit sketcher of historical events, but even more of character.”—Economist“Gracefully written, often deeply affecting … like the nation itself, Arlington bears the scars of its history, as Robert Poole eloquently shows.”—WashingtonPost“On Hallowed Groundis a beautiful portrait of the place where we honor their fallen comrades.”—Bookpage“Graceful and dignified…perhaps more than any other secular site in America, Arlington casts a religious spell. The effect is not accidental…there is ample evidence of sacramental need in the many Arlington rituals that Mr. Poole relates in such moving detail.”—Wall Street Journal“Vivid, compelling, filled with rich and unexpected detail,On Hallowed Groundtells the little-understood story of Arlington National Cemetery and in the process chronicles how we have honored—and sometimes dishonored—those who gambled everything on our behalf. Robert M. Poole is a fine storyteller and this is a great story.”—Geoffrey C. Ward, author ofThe Civil WarandThe War: An Intimate History 1941-1945“Improbably gripping and often deeply moving,On Hallowed Groundchronicles both the evolution of our national cemetery and the profound ways in which treatment of the war dead reflects a nation's soul. Readers interested in political, social or military history from the Civil War on will want to read this book.”—Caroline Alexander, author ofThe EnduranceandThe War That Killed Achilles“Most Americans, especially most historians, think they know all about Arlington Cemetery. They respect what it represents, and revere the heroes resting there. But only Robert Poole has brought to life all the historic figures, from privates to presidents, who made this national shrine and populate its rolling hills.On Hallowed Groundis a memorable combination of historical research, first-hand reporting and sensitive writing—a definitive work that should last as long as the eternal flame at John Kennedy's grave site.”—Ernest B. Furgurson, author ofFreedom Rising: Washington in the Civil War“A prism for appreciating American military sacrifice from the time of the Civil War through the present wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Robert M. Poole not only captures the history of a venerable American institution but with it the politics of commemoration and reconciliation. Absolutely first-rate.”—Paul Dickson, co-author ofThe Bonus Army“Robert Poole has coupled superb storytelling with meticulous research and produced a gem.On Hallowed Groundis by turns illuminating, informative, and enormously readable. In the future you will never think of Arlington Cemetery without recalling the tales contained in this marvelous book.”—Robert Timberg, author ofThe Nightingale's SongandState of Grace: A Memoir of Twilight Time“In his stirring, evocative style, Robert Poole blends Arlington's untold story with America’s own story, as Robert E. Lee’s home, a prize of war in a divided nation, evolves—through wars and peace—into America's most hallowed ground.”—Thomas B. Allen, co-author ofThe Bonus Army