On Hallowed Ground
The Story of Arlington National Cemetery
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.99/mo for the first 3 months
Prime members: New to Audible? Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
On Hallowed Ground
Buy for $29.95
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Robert M. Poole
-
By:
-
Robert M. Poole
About this listen
More than just a fascinating account of how Arlington came into being at the end of the Civil War, On Hallowed Ground also tells the story of America as reflected in her greatest national cemetery. The history of the land on which the cemetery is built is as varied as our nation's, evolving from its earliest days as Robert E. Lee's ancestral home to a Union headquarters, a haven for freedmen, and finally a burial ground. Robert Poole also shows how the landscape of Arlington changed along with our democracy. Originally segregated by race and rank, the organization of the plots alone tells a complex story.
Poole conducted new interviews exclusively for this audio edition of On Hallowed Ground, featuring a range of key players in the cemetery's history and day-to-day operations. He spoke with Wayne Parks, great grandson of the slaves owned by Robert E. Lee's family and the first cemetery groundskeeper; Gunnery Sergeant William J. Dixon, a Marine and Iraq war veteran who oversees the quality control of Marine funerals at Arlington; and Linda Willey, chairperson of the Arlington Ladies Committee for the Air Force, who makes sure that there is a civilian present at every Air Force funeral. Our edition of On Hallowed Ground features highlights from these and other interviews, as well as more exclusive material, including a rendition of "Taps" played by the Army's principal bugler.
Download the accompanying reference guide.
;Listen to An interview with Robert M. Poole.
©2009 Robert M. Poole (P)2010 Audible, Inc.Listeners also enjoyed...
-
Section 60
- Arlington National Cemetery: Where War Comes Home
- By: Robert M. Poole
- Narrated by: Richard Davidson
- Length: 6 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 22
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 19
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 18
While On Hallowed Ground chronicled the history of the cemetery, Section 60: Arlington National Cemetery is the powerful contemporary biography of a five-acre plot where many of those killed in Iraq and Afghanistan have been laid to rest alongside service members from earlier wars.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
What a good book
- By Jimmy on 08-07-18
By: Robert M. Poole
-
The Greatest Generation
- By: Tom Brokaw
- Narrated by: Tom Brokaw
- Length: 3 hrs and 42 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 891
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 693
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 687
In this superb audiobook, Tom Brokaw goes out into America to tell through the stories of individual men and women the story of a generation. America's citizen heroes and heroines who came of age during the Great Depression and the Second World War and went on to build modern America. This generation was united not only by a common purpose, but also by common values- duty, honor, economy, courage, service, love of family and country, and, above all, responsibility for oneself.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Why abridged?
- By MacGyver124 on 02-24-17
By: Tom Brokaw
-
Sacred Duty
- A Soldier's Tour at Arlington National Cemetery
- By: Tom Cotton
- Narrated by: Tom Cotton, Jeremy Arthur
- Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 280
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 252
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 250
An extraordinary journey behind the scenes of Arlington National Cemetery, Senator Tom Cotton’s Sacred Duty offers an intimate and inspiring portrait of “The Old Guard”, the revered US Army unit whose mission is to honor our country’s fallen heroes on the most hallowed ground in America.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Terrific!
- By Wayne on 05-29-19
By: Tom Cotton
-
Only the Strong
- Reversing the Left's Plot to Sabotage American Power
- By: Tom Cotton
- Narrated by: Tony Messano, Tom Cotton
- Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 175
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 162
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 163
If it seems to you that Barack Obama and Joe Biden have weakened America and emboldened our enemies, you’re not alone. But Senator Cotton explains that their failures aren’t just incompetence or bad luck—it’s decline by design. Only the Strong reveals the untold inside story of how progressive ideologues and Democratic politicians abandoned the American tradition of strength, pride, and honor.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Tom Cotton is a hero
- By Amazon Customer on 06-26-24
By: Tom Cotton
-
Killing Jesus
- A History
- By: Bill O'Reilly, Martin Dugard
- Narrated by: Bill O'Reilly
- Length: 6 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 9,805
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 8,656
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 8,668
Millions of people have thrilled to best-selling authors Bill O'Reilly and historian Martin Dugard's Killing Kennedy and Killing Lincoln, works of nonfiction that have changed the way we view history. Now the anchor of The O'Reilly Factor details the events leading up to the murder of the most influential man in history: Jesus of Nazareth. Nearly 2,000 years after this beloved and controversial young revolutionary was brutally killed by Roman soldiers, more than 2.2 billion human beings attempt to follow his teachings and believe he is God.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
The Jesus story in context
- By Kimberly on 10-01-13
By: Bill O'Reilly, and others
-
The Splendid and the Vile
- A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz
- By: Erik Larson
- Narrated by: John Lee, Erik Larson
- Length: 17 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 12,048
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 10,315
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 10,236
On Winston Churchill’s first day as prime minister, Adolf Hitler invaded Holland and Belgium. Poland and Czechoslovakia had already fallen, and the Dunkirk evacuation was just two weeks away. For the next 12 months, Hitler would wage a relentless bombing campaign, killing 45,000 Britons. It was up to Churchill to hold his country together and persuade President Franklin Roosevelt that Britain was a worthy ally - and willing to fight to the end. In The Splendid and the Vile, Erik Larson shows how Churchill taught the British people "the art of being fearless."
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
John Lee’s narration is a struggle
- By Leslie Rathjens on 03-05-20
By: Erik Larson
-
Section 60
- Arlington National Cemetery: Where War Comes Home
- By: Robert M. Poole
- Narrated by: Richard Davidson
- Length: 6 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 22
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 19
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 18
While On Hallowed Ground chronicled the history of the cemetery, Section 60: Arlington National Cemetery is the powerful contemporary biography of a five-acre plot where many of those killed in Iraq and Afghanistan have been laid to rest alongside service members from earlier wars.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
What a good book
- By Jimmy on 08-07-18
By: Robert M. Poole
-
The Greatest Generation
- By: Tom Brokaw
- Narrated by: Tom Brokaw
- Length: 3 hrs and 42 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 891
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 693
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 687
In this superb audiobook, Tom Brokaw goes out into America to tell through the stories of individual men and women the story of a generation. America's citizen heroes and heroines who came of age during the Great Depression and the Second World War and went on to build modern America. This generation was united not only by a common purpose, but also by common values- duty, honor, economy, courage, service, love of family and country, and, above all, responsibility for oneself.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Why abridged?
- By MacGyver124 on 02-24-17
By: Tom Brokaw
-
Sacred Duty
- A Soldier's Tour at Arlington National Cemetery
- By: Tom Cotton
- Narrated by: Tom Cotton, Jeremy Arthur
- Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 280
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 252
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 250
An extraordinary journey behind the scenes of Arlington National Cemetery, Senator Tom Cotton’s Sacred Duty offers an intimate and inspiring portrait of “The Old Guard”, the revered US Army unit whose mission is to honor our country’s fallen heroes on the most hallowed ground in America.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Terrific!
- By Wayne on 05-29-19
By: Tom Cotton
-
Only the Strong
- Reversing the Left's Plot to Sabotage American Power
- By: Tom Cotton
- Narrated by: Tony Messano, Tom Cotton
- Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 175
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 162
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 163
If it seems to you that Barack Obama and Joe Biden have weakened America and emboldened our enemies, you’re not alone. But Senator Cotton explains that their failures aren’t just incompetence or bad luck—it’s decline by design. Only the Strong reveals the untold inside story of how progressive ideologues and Democratic politicians abandoned the American tradition of strength, pride, and honor.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Tom Cotton is a hero
- By Amazon Customer on 06-26-24
By: Tom Cotton
-
Killing Jesus
- A History
- By: Bill O'Reilly, Martin Dugard
- Narrated by: Bill O'Reilly
- Length: 6 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 9,805
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 8,656
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 8,668
Millions of people have thrilled to best-selling authors Bill O'Reilly and historian Martin Dugard's Killing Kennedy and Killing Lincoln, works of nonfiction that have changed the way we view history. Now the anchor of The O'Reilly Factor details the events leading up to the murder of the most influential man in history: Jesus of Nazareth. Nearly 2,000 years after this beloved and controversial young revolutionary was brutally killed by Roman soldiers, more than 2.2 billion human beings attempt to follow his teachings and believe he is God.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
The Jesus story in context
- By Kimberly on 10-01-13
By: Bill O'Reilly, and others
-
The Splendid and the Vile
- A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz
- By: Erik Larson
- Narrated by: John Lee, Erik Larson
- Length: 17 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 12,048
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 10,315
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 10,236
On Winston Churchill’s first day as prime minister, Adolf Hitler invaded Holland and Belgium. Poland and Czechoslovakia had already fallen, and the Dunkirk evacuation was just two weeks away. For the next 12 months, Hitler would wage a relentless bombing campaign, killing 45,000 Britons. It was up to Churchill to hold his country together and persuade President Franklin Roosevelt that Britain was a worthy ally - and willing to fight to the end. In The Splendid and the Vile, Erik Larson shows how Churchill taught the British people "the art of being fearless."
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
John Lee’s narration is a struggle
- By Leslie Rathjens on 03-05-20
By: Erik Larson
-
Sea Stories
- My Life in Special Operations
- By: William H. McRaven
- Narrated by: William H. McRaven
- Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 8,766
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 7,955
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 7,890
Admiral William H. McRaven is back with amazing stories of bravery and heroism from his career as a Navy SEAL and commander of America's Special Operations Forces.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Behind-the-scenes look at high level military life
- By N. on 10-23-19
-
The Civil War: A Narrative, Volume I, Fort Sumter to Perryville
- By: Shelby Foote
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 42 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 5,224
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 3,932
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 3,925
The Civil War: A Narrative, Volume 1 begins one of the most remarkable works of history ever fashioned. All the great battles are here, of course, from Bull Run through Shiloh, the Seven Days Battles, and Antietam, but so are the smaller ones: Ball's Bluff, Fort Donelson, Pea Ridge, Island Ten, New Orleans, and Monitor versus Merrimac.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
OUTSTANDING! I'M PROUD TO BE A BLACK AMERICAN!!
- By The Louligan on 08-22-13
By: Shelby Foote
-
Bill O'Reilly's Legends and Lies: The Patriots
- By: Bill O'Reilly, David Fisher
- Narrated by: Holter Graham, Bill O'Reilly
- Length: 9 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,721
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 2,391
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 2,384
The must-have companion to Bill O'Reilly's historical docudrama Legends and Lies: The Patriots, an exciting and eye-opening look at the Revolutionary War through the lives of its leaders. The American Revolution was neither inevitable nor a unanimous cause. It pitted neighbors against each other as loyalists and colonial rebels faced off for their lives and futures. These were the times that tried men's souls: No one was on stable ground, and few could be trusted.
-
1 out of 5 stars
-
Couldn't stop listening!
- By Erin on 08-05-16
By: Bill O'Reilly, and others
-
The Wisdom of the Bullfrog
- Leadership Made Simple (But Not Easy)
- By: Admiral William H. McRaven
- Narrated by: Admiral William H. McRaven
- Length: 3 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 1,221
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 1,089
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 1,087
The title “Bullfrog” is given to the Navy SEAL who has served the longest on active duty. Admiral McRaven was honored to receive this honor in 2011 when he took charge of the United States Special Operations Command. When McRaven retired in 2014, he had 37 years as a Navy SEAL under his belt, leading men and women at every level of the special operations community. During those four decades, Admiral McRaven dealt with every conceivable leadership challenge. The Wisdom of The Bullfrog draws on these and countless other experiences from Admiral McRaven’s incredible life.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Great book for anyone in Leadership position
- By Myrl on 04-06-23
-
Rocket Men
- The Daring Odyssey of Apollo 8 and the Astronauts Who Made Man's First Journey to the Moon
- By: Robert Kurson
- Narrated by: Ray Porter, Robert Kurson
- Length: 12 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 2,638
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 2,381
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 2,376
By August 1968, the American space program was in danger of failing in its two most important objectives: to land a man on the moon by President Kennedy's end-of-decade deadline and to triumph over the Soviets in space. With its back against the wall, NASA made an almost unimaginable leap: It would scrap its usual methodical approach and risk everything on a sudden launch, sending the first men in history to the moon - in just four months.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
The Men Who Saved 1968
- By Gillian on 04-04-18
By: Robert Kurson
-
On Desperate Ground
- The Marines at the Reservoir, the Korean War's Greatest Battle
- By: Hampton Sides
- Narrated by: David Pittu
- Length: 12 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 1,990
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 1,789
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 1,783
Hampton Sides' superb account of this epic clash in the Korean War relies on years of archival research, unpublished letters, declassified documents, and interviews with scores of marines and Koreans who survived the siege. While expertly detailing the follies of the American leaders, On Desperate Ground is an immediate, grunt's-eye view of history, enthralling in its narrative pace and powerful in its portrayal of what ordinary men are capable of in the most extreme circumstances.
-
1 out of 5 stars
-
typical armchair critic armed with hign site
- By Brent on 10-03-18
By: Hampton Sides
-
Clear the Bridge!
- The War Patrols of the U.S.S. Tang
- By: RAdm. Richard H. O'Kane USN
- Narrated by: Sean Runnette
- Length: 18 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 414
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 379
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 377
The story of Tang and her gallant crew ranks with the most amazing of naval history. Between August 1943 when she was commissioned and her loss in fall 1944, Tang completed four missions and was on her fifth in the Formosa Strait, single-handedly demolishing a convey. During this time, Tang had one captain: Commander Richard Hetherington O'Kane. Together, Tang, her crew of 86 men, and her captain sank more tonnage and more enemy ships than any other submarine on active patrol.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
An Admiral gives a lively portrayal of ww2 sub
- By Kevin Stokes on 03-22-21
-
Alexander Hamilton
- By: Ron Chernow
- Narrated by: Scott Brick
- Length: 35 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 24,685
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 21,392
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 21,262
Historians have long told the story of America’s birth as the triumph of Jefferson’s democratic ideals over the aristocratic intentions of Hamilton. Chernow presents an entirely different man, whose legendary ambitions were motivated not merely by self-interest but by passionate patriotism and a stubborn will to build the foundations of American prosperity and power.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
An Outstanding & Riveting Book!
- By Kevin on 03-04-05
By: Ron Chernow
-
Empire of the Summer Moon
- Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History
- By: S. C. Gwynne
- Narrated by: David Drummond
- Length: 15 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 15,359
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 13,049
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 13,025
Empire of the Summer Moon spans two astonishing stories. The first traces the rise and fall of the Comanches, the most powerful Indian tribe in American history. The second entails one of the most remarkable narratives ever to come out of the Old West: the epic saga of the pioneer woman Cynthia Ann Parker and her mixed-blood son, Quanah, who became the last and greatest chief of the Comanches.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Difficult to endure narrator
- By fowler on 12-21-19
By: S. C. Gwynne
-
Team of Rivals
- The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
- By: Doris Kearns Goodwin
- Narrated by: Suzanne Toren
- Length: 41 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 11,109
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 9,830
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 9,838
On May 18, 1860, William H. Seward, Salmon P. Chase, Edward Bates, and Abraham Lincoln waited in their hometowns for the results from the Republican National Convention in Chicago. When Lincoln emerged as the victor, his rivals were dismayed and angry. Throughout the turbulent 1850s, each had energetically sought the presidency as the conflict over slavery was leading inexorably to secession and civil war.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Beautiful, Heartbreaking, and Informative
- By JJ on 09-10-12
-
1776
- By: David McCullough
- Narrated by: David McCullough
- Length: 11 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 19,361
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 14,782
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 14,709
In this stirring audiobook, David McCullough tells the intensely human story of those who marched with General George Washington in the year of the Declaration of Independence, when the whole American cause was riding on their success, without which all hope for independence would have been dashed and the noble ideals of the Declaration would have amounted to little more than words on paper.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Front Seat on History
- By Mark on 10-22-05
By: David McCullough
-
Gods and Generals
- A Novel of the Civil War (Civil War Trilogy)
- By: Jeff Shaara
- Narrated by: Mark Bramhall
- Length: 22 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 870
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 772
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 764
In this brilliantly written epic novel, Jeff Shaara traces the lives, passions, and careers of the great military leaders from the first gathering clouds of the Civil War.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Like father like son
- By brian on 06-02-20
By: Jeff Shaara
Editorial reviews
Robert E. Lee had made up his mind. If Virginia secedes from the Union, “then I will still follow my native state with my sword, and if need be with my life”. Lee’s home was Arlington House, the 1,100-acre estate inherited by his wife, Mary Ann Custis Lee (great-granddaughter to Martha Washington and step-great-granddaughter to George Washington). Arlington has a commanding view above the nation’s capital, Washington, at its height rising to over 200 feet above the surrounding area. Topology guaranteed that the Union military would seize and hold this most vital strategic high ground. The Civil War came and quickly the graveyards of Washington began filling up. Soon the fallen Union warriors would be buried at Arlington. These were the first in a series of events that over time would transform the Lee Arlington estate into Arlington National Cemetery.
On Hallowed Ground: The Story of Arlington National Cemetery is a comprehensive history, written and narrated by a man with a passion for places of historical importance. For 21 years Robert M. Poole was a writer and editor of National Geographic and currently is a contributing editor at Smithsonian. Poole, in a Smithsonian interview states, “I am keen on the biography of places — in other words, how a particular piece of geography evolves over time, taking on its own distinctive character.” A native of North Carolina with attractive shades of a Southern accent, Poole narrates with the scholar’s scope of understanding and the patriot’s reverence for the subject. The audiobook producers have expanded the book’s print edition, adding additional material with six narrative voices. Very interesting voices they are; six people, each with close ties to Arlington National Cemetery and each with their own Arlington stories to tell. These narratives are mixed in with Poole’s, somewhat in the way side quotes are injected alongside magazine and newspaper articles. Though this process does put pauses in the main narrative, it most definitely enhances Poole’s story, the sideline details adding deeply moving and engaging details.
What will, and ought to remain with the listener is the profound poignancy of On Hallowed Ground. Lest we forget. —David Chasey
Critic reviews
What listeners say about On Hallowed Ground
Highly rated for:
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Diane
- 07-22-10
Incredible!
I don't usually go for history type books but this one caught my eye and I enjoyed it so much. It was very history informative and the added commentary from others that lived it was very moving. Arlington National Cemetery is a very important part of how this country honors and shows respect for its fallen soldiers, it was very interesting to learn of its origin to present day.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Frank
- 07-10-17
great book
the 2nd half of the book was a little less organized than the 1st. but overall it's filled with some great history and stories that bring a greater appreciation to the men and women barried in Arlington and how it came to be.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- David L. Petry
- 02-16-22
3rd time
I listened to this a third time, a few years between each. This is the kind of history I love. A unique institution as an interface to the wider culture. It lands on so many fascinating pivot points in our history. And Poole’s approach, his choices, his handling of the information is perfect. Then we could talk about his reading of the book. Excellent!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- C. Sneed
- 05-28-11
On the money
I work at Arlington National Cemetery and this book is an excellent source for anyone wanting to know more than 'who is buried where.' The author approaches from a historical perspective that fleshes out the depth and soul of the cemetery, and the reason for its existence. I worried in the beginning that he was spending too much time on the Civil War portion, but later realized this serves as a foundation of all that happens later. Anyone working at or planning on visiting Arlington should read this book.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Columbia Pete
- 10-29-11
Excellent story of Honoring the Dead
What did you love best about On Hallowed Ground?
This presentation did more than tell the story of Arlington Cemetery but gave the background of how the United States has honored the dead through its history. I found it to be very interesting and enlightening to hear of the personalities who shaped this history. For anyone who has interest in Arlington or any of our National Cemeteries, this is a great read.
What does Robert M. Poole bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
The author tells the story he wrote with feeling and passion. Also his inclusion of other voices to tell their particular story made the audio very interesting.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Although a book of history, it is a story that kept me wanting to listen to see how things developed in the various stages of the history of Arlington and in the changing policies that affected the return of the military dead from our overseas conflicts.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
- M. Stevens
- 09-16-10
Hauntingly Captivating...
I started this book to prepare myself for an upcoming memorial service for a World War II sailor at Arlington. I found myself listening to it whenever I had a few moments, even sitting for a few minutes in my car after my commute to and from work. It gave me an understanding of the history and politics of this national treasure. Surprisingly, I found myself listening with such concentration, that at moments, I found myself tearing with emotion as if I was standing there with the families of our fallen soldiers. I found the voice of BlackJack the horse's handler describing JFK's funeral procession bringing me right back to that fateful week when I was a little boy watching everything on TV.
The author really did his homework, which is evident all throughout this well organized book. He takes us from the very beginnings of the estate through the most recent events. It also served as a history of the United States from the Civil War to the present, with the author showing how Arlington was tied into many national events of the time. This detail really came through when I actually visited the cemetery and found myself having a much deeper understanding of the ceremony, the locations and people buried there.
The author's narration was performed in a pleasant tone that would be proper for the subject at hand. The audio production was well done and did not notice the typical voice drop-ins that usually come with a book filled with many difficult pronunciations.
Simply put, it gave me a very clear understanding of the sacrifice of our Armed Forces and why they are so proud of the men and women who rest there.
I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
- James
- 07-31-11
Exceptional
As one interested in the Civil War and nineteenth century America, I found this book to be an excellent listen. Initially I thought it might be a military spin job, but was pleased at the writer's objectivity and honesty regarding this nation's warring ways.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Michelle
- 04-27-12
A Rich Documentary without images
Truly, the only downside to this book is the lack of images. I found myself sitting in front of Google Images as I listened, just to make sure I understood what the author was talking about.
This is a book that listens like a documentary on television. Brilliantly narrated, with some parts voiced by others, giving you a "History Channel" type of experience. I felt moved in so many places and was amazed at the rich history of this cemetery.
Americans should be proud of this place and Robert Poole has honoured veterans and their families with his beautiful work. I know I will be making a visit to the cemetery, just because of the passion of this book.
If you know a solider, you owe it to them to listen to this story.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jimmy
- 11-24-11
Outstanding
I bought this book as a random buy and all i can say is that it is great. The author did a wonderful job with the book and the information. I would recommend this book to any one
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mary Vander Velden
- 04-15-17
Loving book
This book made me cry and VERY proud to be from the USA. Thank You
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful