Outdoor Monuments of Manhattan: A Historical Guide

As a native New Yorker, at one time or another I've passed by and gazed at every one of the 54 sculptures listed in this excellent book. What I learned was how great each one is. Several of my favorites are mentioned (Columbus, Washington, Hamilton) as are some less publicized gems, like Verrazzano and Dr. James Marion Sims. By breaking down the categories of About the Sculpture and About the Subject, one can learn so much about these outdoor gems in the city. Dr. Durante's style of writing is very clear and she gives a practical guide in "how to read a sculpture" with an objective basis.Pick your style of heroism and you'll find it here. Whether it's celebrating a job well done (Washington in Union Square) or charging into the battle of a new project (El Cid up in Harlem) or refusing to submit to defeat in the face of death (Nathan Hale in City Hall Park) you are sure to be uplifted.Every New Yorker should own this book, as it will give them a chance to fill their lives with inspiration by simply traveling to a location simply mapped out in the book. As for non-New Yorkers, this is yet another reason to come here and enjoy the greatness of this magnificent city.

Apart from Ayn Rand's own work in esthetics (The Romantic Manifesto---and several other articles outside of it) and Dr. Leonard Peikoff's Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand, Dr. Dianne Durante's Outdoor Monuments of Manhattan is the first published work to apply some of Miss Rand's revolutionary esthetics to works of art. This is a MAJOR achievement.In order to shape a culture dominated by by a rational philosophy, the Objectivist ethics is THE most important idea to get into the culture. And a number of outstanding philosophers have each, independent of one another, done admirable work in this area.The second most important idea essential to changing our culture is Miss Rand's esthetics. Dr. Durante opened the door to this with her criticism of the thoroughly reprehensible exhibition in New York's Central Park of Christo's Gates. She stood firm against invective. Now she is offering more details as she applies Miss Rand's esthetics to Outdoor Monuments of Manhattan.Outdoor Monuments of Manhattan is a clever organization of facts and commentary. It is also a welcomed introduction to important ideas that offer the reader rational guidelines to better appreciate and understand art in general and the outdoor monuments of Manhattan in particular.

I enjoyed this book but I was quite surprised to see Harlem is completely ignored. There isn't one monument in Harlem included in the survey. Also overlooked are the Doughboy statues from World War I. While I appreciate the Father Duffy essay, leaving out the others is curious. But to call this a historical guide to Manhattan and leaving out Harlem disappoints me. All of the other usual suspects are included, beginning with the Statue of Liberty. It's a good guide to the majority of the famous sculptures in Manhattan.

Selecting 54 outdoor sculptures that are of personal and aesthetic interest, the author takes you on a guided tour of Manhattan starting from the Statue of Liberty in the south all the way north to El Cid by Anna Hyatt Huntington.An easy read for all, each essay gives a brief introduction into the sculptures stylistic elements. It also compares them to how they could have been different and what that would have done to the artwork's meaning. The author also provides background information on the sculpture and its subject to further enhance our appreciation.Of course when it comes right down to it, Durante shows us through sculpture great minds at work (artisan and innovator) who have accomplished much in their pursuit of values.

Dianne Durante has written a wonderful book about monumental sculptures that grace the island of Manhattan. She introduces each of the works with a carefully chosen photograph and proceeds to delight you with observations, quotes and stories that bring the statues and their subjects to life.The more you read about each artwork, the more you see it. Several times, after reading Durante's observations, I found myself returning to the photos to note overlooked details that gave greater meaning to the works.She writes with a clear, engaging style. And just like her recorded lectures on art, this book educates and inspires. My suggestion: buy two and give one to a friend.

A well written and well researched guide to the sculpture in Manhattan. Durante can't cover everything, but she does include all the major works. Her comments are relevant and often insightful. Useful for anyone who wants to learn more about the magnificent public art that surrounds us.

Book purchase was caused by the need to discover what and where of NORTH AMERICA in front of American Indian Museum. Love seeing again statues I'd barely paid attention to but viewed now with historical knowledge. Beautiful book.

Woefully incomplete; especially in lower Manhattan. I was quite disappointed.