A rift in the Earth, art, memory, and the fight for a Vietnam War memorial, James Reston, Jr
Type
Label
A rift in the Earth, art, memory, and the fight for a Vietnam War memorial, James Reston, Jr
Language
eng
Bibliography note
Includes bibliographical references and index
Illustrations
platesillustrationsmaps
Index
index present
Literary Form
non fiction
Main title
A rift in the Earth
Nature of contents
bibliography
Oclc number
974699580
Responsibility statement
James Reston, Jr
Sub title
art, memory, and the fight for a Vietnam War memorial
Summary
A Rift in the Earth tells the remarkable story of the ferocious "art war" that raged between 1979 and 1984 over what kind of memorial should be built to honor the men and women who died in the Vietnam War. The story intertwines art, politics, historical memory, patriotism, racism, and a fascinating set of characters, from those who fought in the conflict and those who resisted it to politicians at the highest level. At its center are two enduring figures: Maya Lin, a young, Asian-American architecture student at Yale whose abstract design won the international competition but triggered a fierce backlash among powerful figures; and Frederick Hart, an innovative sculptor of humble origins on the cusp of stardom. James Reston, Jr., a veteran who lost a close friend in the war and has written incisively about the conflict's bitter aftermath, explores how the debate reignited passions around Vietnam long after the war's end and raised questions about how best to honor those who fought and sacrificed in an ill-advised war
Table Of Contents
It shall not come near to you -- Remember us -- Nothing to add, nothing to take away -- And the winner is -- Fight as hard as you can -- Blowback -- Ex nihilo -- How Chinese are you? -- A breach of faith -- Dedication -- A kind of ocean -- The troubled marriage of true minds -- Epilogue: the noise of your songs