What a gift to be offered a copy of A Biography of a Mountain by Matthew Davis. I received this ARC from Net Galley and St Martin's Press. If you have any interest in native culture and history, this book is a must read.
It is a fascinating tale about so much more than Mount Rushmore. but that iconic monument in the Black Hills of South Dakota makes for a amazing adventure. My wife and I visited Mount Rushmore for the first time last August -- on our way back to Chicago following a cross country trip to Portland. I remember being awed by the majesty of the monument, but something felt off in the whole experience. Thankfully, Matthew Davis helped to identify that dis-ease that was in my soul.
This is an exceptional book that will give insight into the process that lead up to the building of the monument, the men who built it, and the worldview that they attached to the "four boys". But, fortunately, it doesn't end there. Davis also gives us insight into the "Land Back" movement and how it relates to Mount Rushmore.
I know our history isn't perfect, and I appreciate opportunities to learn and grow from some of the mistakes we have made along the way. Thank you Matthew Davis for this eye-opening look at the Black Hills. I am sure that many will not share this view, but I am always grateful for the opportunity to see the world from another's perspective and I now have a whole new appreciation for the Mountain we call Mount Rushmore.
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