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Title: Topping the Dome
Author: Richard F Novak
Narrator: Daniel Dorse
Format: Unabridged
Length: 9 hrs and 3 mins
Language: English
Release date: 10-10-14
Publisher: Richard F. Novak - SW Publishing
Genres: Fiction, Historical
Publisher's Summary:
Crowned with the Statue of Freedom the Capitol Dome is one of America's most iconic images. This carefully researched historical novel tells the story of Statue of Freedom's creation and its creator Thomas Crawford. As Crawford travels between the ancient Capitol of Rome and the new Capitol of America, art and politics collide. Congress is bitterly divided over the issue of slavery, but Crawford would eventually create more sculpture for the Capitol than any other sculptor. Three other men, Charles Sumner, a staunch abolitionist, Senator, and ideologue, Clark Mills, a self-taught sculptor and opportunist, and the supervisor of construction of the Capitol, Captain Montgomery C. Meigs, an autocratic achiever, play major roles in this compelling story.
Members Reviews:
I wish the book had been illustrated
This story is fascinating, presenting as it does the behind the scenes story of the building of the nation's capitol. I think many readers will feel as I did. I am an historian, and confess to knowing little about the practice or terminology of sculpting. How helpful it would have been to be able to see drawings and photographs of the processes described.
I always enjoy a keen historical novel based upon the period before ...
I always enjoy a keen historical novel based upon the period before the Civil War. If you have ever read 1858 by Chadwick you realize what a crazy and momentous period it was. The author does a great job of painting a realistic backdrop for the period. Of course, he includes Charles Sumner in the novel, one of the most famous politicians of the day. Its his close friendship with Crawford that keeps the book from becoming a historical only telling to a more character developed book. He is adept at developing conversations in the book that appear realistic for the time and relevant to the completion of the Dome. The letters presented are well done additions to the story-line. A very solid book and well worth reading.
Must visit the Capitol
I met sculptor/author Richard Novak when his still untitled book was in its early draft chapters. His infectious enthusiasm for the classic work of Thomas Crawford,the sculptor's years in Rome, his marriage to Louisa, his recognition by politicians and architects of the Capitol, support from abolitionist Sen. Charles Sumner, the commissions for decorating national sites and the new U.S. Capitol, was exciting.
Novak himself has lived in Rome, scoured the marble quarries of Italy,examined sculpture in every world city he visited and created commissioned work that is publicly exhibited in his community. "Topping the Dome" draws readers into the world of sculptors and the development of the U.S. Capitol during the Civil War era. The history is accurate, the studio and commission exchanges are insightful, the parade of famous Americans who supported the talented Crawford is important.
The book begins with young Crawford's 1837 ocean voyage to Rome to work in the laboratory of an Italian master. It ends when Crawford's expertly designed 19-foot Freedom, an epitome of his career, statue is placed on top of the Capitol on Dec. 2, 1863, in the middle of the Civil War.
My reaction to reading Novak's polished "Topping the Dome" was to go to the airport.