First published 2015
Rick Atkinson opens the gates to Arlington National Cemetery as it reaches its sesquicentennial milestone. The cemetery's unexpected beginnings unfold alongside the daily rituals of those who maintain its sacred grounds. Caretakers move between rows of white headstones while families arrive to visit graves of loved ones lost in service. Tomb guards maintain their silent vigil at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Memorial services bring together mourners seeking solace among the rolling hills. Atkinson weaves together the voices of groundskeepers, honor guards, and grieving relatives who find meaning within these 624 acres. Nearly 200 photographs capture both intimate moments of remembrance and grand ceremonial traditions. The book includes Brigadier General Creighton Abrams Jr.'s reflections and an updated cemetery map showing recent expansions. Through personal stories and striking imagery, Atkinson reveals how this hallowed ground continues to embody the nation's gratitude to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Genres: history, 20th-century, biography-memoir, 21st-century, military-history, american-history
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family
Setting: Arlington National Cemetery
Period: Sesquicentennial
192 pages · Hardcover · National Geographic