Capital
Capital by Lynn Curlee explores the history of our Nation's Capital, focusing on the structures and monuments and the
histories behind how they were conceived and built.
The book is set up with a descriptive block of text paired with a full page illustration. The book is cohesively
organized, but the information is given in small packets with just enough detail on each page. Interesting details are
given such as Thomas Jefferson anonomously entering the contest to design the White House and losing. Particularly interesting
is the detail given to the Capitol dome, which is called a "masterpiece of engineering, design and symbolism." A cross
section illustration is shown of the dome, occupying a full page spread.
Capital places emphasis on the architecture of each structure, showing a certain connection between the architecture
of a nation and its national philosophy (School Library Journal 2003). The Capitol building is an architectural and
political symbol of government in the United States, and this book provides a well researched history into how the National
Mall and Washington D.C. came to be. An appropriate quotation of Winston Churchill is included at the end of the book,
giving an opportunity to consider its truth in light of the previous pages of text: "We shape our buildings and afterwards
our buildings shape us."
Illustrations done by the author provide beautiful painted representations of the monuments, historical figures, and
national landscape in Washington D.C. Visitors to the monuments and other people are included in the illustrations
which gives the reader an excellent sense of scale. Particularly remarkable is the size of the Lincoln Memorial and
the height of the Capitol building in the illustration of the cross section of the dome - notice the people at the bottom
of the illustration.
This book presents a beautiful representation of the monuments in Washington D.C., accurately detailing its history and
giving modern details as well, such as recent construction, maintenence or addition to structures. The terrorist attacks
of Septermber 11, 2001 are briefly mentioned, as if to underline again the importance of our Capital city.
Curlee, Lynn. Capital. New York: Atheneum Books, 2003.
