High Above Manhattan

“It was, […] a building that would represent the United States, ‘a land which reached for the sky with its feet on the ground’” (5).

The Book

Mark Kingwell calls his book, Nearest Thing to Heaven: The Empire State Building, “a guided tour of the Empire State Building” (22). Kingwell provides the reader a history of the men involved, time period it was built, publicity, and the design. The driving force behind the creation was Alfred Smith, former governor of New York, and John Jakob Raskob, former employee of General Motors. Through their leadership, the Empire State Building took eighteen months to complete (four and a half stories a week), came in under budget, and ahead of schedule. All of this occurred during the Great Depression.

Kingwell looks at the Empire State Building as an icon, symbol, and phenomenon. He spends time on the skyscraper concept, architecture, and construction feats. The reader will read about the Empire State Building’s influence in culture, nostalgia, and film. We have a fascination with reaching the sky and the Empire State Building is a perfect example of that desire and a status symbol.  

Each chapter is interesting, however the book delves into political, social, and historical commentary. It would be nice to read more about the actual construction of the building and the people who worked on it. The guided tour is more a look at the Empire State Building’s place in culture and architecture history.

The Place

There are so many places to visit in New York City and you can easily spend a couple of days there. The Empire State Building can take up to half a day, depending on the time of year and day you plan to visit. Tickets are available online and at the Empire State Building. The inside is decorated in Art Deco, giving visitors a glimpse into the past. 

Once at the Observation Deck you can spend as much time as you want looking out at Manhattan. The views include: Lower Manhattan, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and other various New York City landmarks. It will be crowded at the top, but space will open up along the edges. Cloudless days are the best to visit the Empire State Building, because you will be able to see for miles. I recommend planning to spend at least an hour at the top. The views are truly stunning.

 

Intended for National Purposes

“No matter how many times he visited the National Cathedral, there was always something else to observe, to learn from, to wonder at” (186).

The Book

Murder at the National Cathedral by Margaret Truman (the daughter of President Harry S. Truman) opens with a wedding at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC and ends with the solving of two murders. One murder victim is found in the National Cathedral, another in an English countryside church. The story follows law professor Mackensie Smith, who is a recurring character of Truman’s, as he investigates the murders and provides legal counsel to the National Cathedral.

Truman does a good job of drawing the reader into the action. Several of the characters have already been introduced in previous books, but a reader does not need to know all the details while reading Murder at the National Cathedral. Any significant details are written in a way to catch a new reader up to speed and gently remind a returning reader.

The Place

In Pierre L’Enfant’s 1791 Plan for the City of Washington, he said, “This church is intended for national purposes…and assigned to the special use of no particular sect or denomination, but equally open to all.”

The Washington National Cathedral is a beautiful place to visit. The design reminds visitors of European churches, even though the National Cathedral was begun in 1907. It is a fully functioning church as well as a tourist destination. There is a fee for sightseeing, but if a visitor wants to worship or pray in the many chapels that is free.

The National Cathedral is located fifteen minutes northwest of the National Mall. There are several varieties of tours that are available as well as changing exhibits. The tours include behind the scenes, music demonstrations, the gardens, and a climb up to the bell chamber.

The World of Yesterday and Tomorrow

Walt Disney: “You can’t have everything profound…It’s the equivalent of not getting so stuffy that you can’t laugh” (401).

The Book

The Magic Kingdom: Walt Disney and the American Way of Life is not just a biography of one man. Author Steven Watts explores the growth and inner workings of the Disney Studios, the societal and cultural changes throughout the 20^th century, and the way Disney Studios responded to the changes. The Magic Kingdom is an honest look at the man who created an empire. The book is well written and easy to follow; this makes the legend of Walt Disney accessible to his fans and critiques alike.

Walt Disney’s story is woven together with the changing landscape of America. The Disney Studios hit their stride during the Great Depression. Mickey Mouse and his gang helped Americans forget their troubles as they watched the “little guy” triumph. During World War II, Donald Duck was used to encourage patriotism and the Disney Studios created training videos for the soldiers. The Cold War saw an emphasis on American history and success stories. All throughout these changes, Walt Disney guided the studio.

It is made clear that Disney was not always the easiest person to work for or impress. But, the reader does not doubt his desire to entertain the public with films that the whole family could enjoy. Walt Disney World was to be the culmination of Disney’s life and ideas. Unfortunately, he died unexpectedly before work could begin.

The Place

Walt Disney World truly is a magical place. Walt Disney wanted to create a destination where visitors were immersed in the Disney experience at every moment: theme park, restaurants, hotels, and shops.

I have had the opportunity to visit Walt Disney World twice and both times were fantastic experiences. The first time my high school choir performed at Epcot. That was an incredible experience, especially because we were allowed “backstage.” When visiting Walt Disney World, you definitely need at least one day per park (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom). It is also a good idea to plan ahead of time what rides you want to go on and what shows you want to watch. Magic Kingdom is my favorite park because you are able to step into moments from history, fantasy, or the future. One moment you may be riding on the Jungle Cruise and see elephants, the next moment you are walking through Cinderella’s castle, and finally you are blasting into space on Space Mountain.

Lighter Than Air

“The very notion of wing-warping [a process the Wright Brothers invented] was to increase the lift on one side of the glider while decreasing lift on the other side, thus inducing a banking roll toward the side with less lift” (131).

The Book

To Conquer the Air: The Wright Brothers and the Great Race for Flight is mainly a book about Wilbur and Orville Wright. However, author James Tobin does more than just introduce the reader to the Wright Brothers. He provides the details of how flight was achieved and the other men who were attempting their own versions of aerorplanes (the original word for airplanes) or gliders. Throughout the book, Tobin weaves together the stories of the Wright Brothers and their contemporaries. The reader sees the frustration and joy that comes with any invention; years were spent perfecting a small part or a theory.  

Many of the Wright Brothers own words are included in the text. In one passage, Wilbur explains the feeling of flying, “There is a sense of exhilaration in flying through the free air, an intensity of enjoyment, which possibly may be due to the satisfaction of an inborn longing transmitted to us from the days when our early ancestors gazed wonderingly at the free flight of birds and contrasted it with their own slow and toilsome progress through the unbroken wilderness” (238). The reader gens a sense of what it must have been like to soar in an open air glider.

There are parts of the book that are difficult to get through. Tobin includes many explanations of theories and the technical process of building gliders. Several chapters focus on other men who were attempting to invent a flying machine. It is interesting to read about the different ideas each man had. Ultimately, the Wright Brothers would create the device that would be the predecessor to modern airplanes.

The Place

Wilbur and Orville Wright were from Dayton, Ohio and owned a bicycle shop where they built gliders during the winter. Today, Dayton’s motto is the “Birthplace of Aviation.” Carillon Park provides visitors a history of Dayton that includes the original 1905 Wright Flyer III. Visitors are able to walk into buildings that were a part of Dayton’s history, learn about Dayton’s involvement with innovation and World War II, and see the changes in public transportation. Many of the exhibits are hands on, which is great for small children.

Dayton has many other aviation sites to explore. A part of this list is the National Air Force Museum. I grew up going to this museum and it has always been one of my favorites. The admission is free and the museum provides an up close view of airplanes from the Wright Brothers to the present day. The museum is in a giant hanger and some airplanes are open for visitors to climb in and imagine being a pilot.

Chicago's Playground

 “The idea was to impress visitors with what they saw both up close and at a distance” (17).

The Book   

Navy Pier: A Chicago Landmark by Douglas Bukowski is a well written, detailed, and interesting history of Chicago’s 3,000 foot pier. Bukowski includes many pictures from the beginning of Chicago up to the pier today.

Bukowski traces the idea of a pier from Daniel Burnham’s 1909 Chicago Plan to the renovation in the mid-1990s. Charles Summer Frost was chosen to design the Municipal Pier in 1913 and it was dedicated in 1916. The pier was used for military training in both World Wars. It saw the training of carrier pigeons in World War I and the training of Navy pilots in World War II. The name was changed to Navy Pier, in 1927, to honor those who served during World War I. In between the World Wars, the pier became a “place where people could enjoy themselves without fear of violence or moral corruption” (23). During this time, an emphasis was placed on the civic education of the people of Chicago.

Bukowski tells of the growing pains Navy Pier experienced after World War II. The University of Illinois used the pier as a satellite campus from 1947-1964. At the end of that time, the pier was in disrepair from so many different uses and alterations. The upcoming American Bicentennial brought about new restoration for the pier and a renewed interest. Bukowski defines the mid-1990s renovation as a close return to Daniel Burnham’s original plan. 

The Place   

Navy Pier is a place that all ages can have fun exploring. There are high-end restaurants, fast-food, and Chicago favorites. A children’s museum and funhouse can entertain children for hours. An IMAX theater shows new releases and documentaries. The Shakespeare Theatre is located on the pier, along with the Skyline Stage for concerts.

My favorite parts of the pier are the Ferris wheel and walking to the edge of the pier. The Ferris wheel is 148 feet tall and pays homage to the first Ferris wheel at the 1893 Columbian Exposition. It can carry 240 people in forty gondolas on a seven and a half minute ride. I think it provides one of the best views of the Chicago skyline. If you are on the pier you should also walk all the way to the end. You can look back and see the city from atop Lake Michigan or you can look out into the lake at the ships sailing past.

Designing the Capitol

“The city itself would be the American Paris, but better than Paris-a Paris reborn as a republican Rome, a seat of wisdom and power on display for the rest of the world” (14).

The Book

In Grand Avenues: The Story of the French Visionary Who Designed Washington, DC, author Scott W. Berg introduces the reader to Pierre (later changed to Peter) Charles L’Enfant. L’Enfant was born outside Paris and educated at the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture before sailing to America to fight in the American Revolution. After the Revolution, America became L’Enfant’s adopted country. He redesigned the temporary seat of government-Federal Hall in New York, before taking on the task of a permanent seat of government.

Berg walks the reader through the decision process regarding a permanent location for the young nation’s capitol. In July of 1790 one hundred square miles on the Potomac River were set aside. L’Enfant surveyed the land while he began to design the layout of the city. His plan was basically “a grid overlaid with a system of public squares linked by radiating diagonal avenues” (102). Berg unpacks the thought and effort L’Enfant put into his plan for Washington, DC. For example, in Versailles, the center was the king’s bedroom. In Washington, the center was the Capitol Building.

The design and building process was not easy. L’Enfant could be a difficult person to work with and often found himself at odds with the commissioners, surveyors, and even Thomas Jefferson. He resigned from the project in 1792. Berg transports the reader to the year 1900 when L’Enfant’s design was finally realized by a team of American architects. This focus on the city plan, as a whole, came after 100 years of focus on the White House and Capitol Building. 

The Place

The Capitol Building was the center of L’Enfant’s plan for the new democracy. The diagonal streets would shoot out like wheels on a spoke and the four grids (Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest) would come together. The view from the Capitol Building would be of the mighty Potomac River.

Today, the Capitol Building is roughly the center of Washington, DC. There is a star drawn onto the floor that shows the center of the city. Close by the star is a scale model of the city; L’Enfant’s plan is evident from this bird’s eye view. You can no longer see the Potomac because of an expansion of the Potomac and the Washington monument. But, there is still a lot to experience within the Capitol grounds. Visitors must have a pass for a tour of the Capitol; tickets can be obtained through your US Representative or Senator. Included in the tour are Statutory Hall where many states are represented by historic figures, the Rotunda with paintings of significant moments in American history, and the old Supreme Court. An additional pass is needed to sit in the gallery of the House of Representatives or the Senate. I highly recommend including this in your visit, it is a rare chance to see the legislative process in person.  

Down the Shore

 

“Ocean City’s founders envisioned the resort as a community for families in particular to enjoy” (46). 

The Book

Ocean City: America’s Greatest Family Resort by Fred Miller traces the growth of Ocean City from an island used to raise cattle to a thriving family town at the shore. The book begins with the story of five founders (three of whom were brothers) that wanted a family resort rooted in their Methodist beliefs. For majority of the city’s history, stores and the beach were closed on Sundays. That tradition is no longer in place, but the sale of alcohol is still not permitted in Ocean City.

Miller traces the early stages to the city’s prosperity, to weather tragedies, to the present. Included are interesting facts, such as this: Ocean City was one of the first in the nation to pay the lifeguards (p. 41) and those lifeguards have always been quick to rescue swimmers. Miller also discusses the growth of the city and details various events and celebrations. At times the topics jump quickly between paragraphs, but the history is easy and fun to read.

The Place

For over half my life, I have spent part of summer vacation in Ocean City, New Jersey. I always looked forward to the week my family spent down the shore and several of the places we would visit are mentioned in Miller’s book. The boardwalk provides amusement rides, miniature golf, go-karts, shops, and all kinds of restaurants. My family would visit Playland's Castaway Cove, which first opened in 1930. Now Playland is home to amusement park rides: including a Ferris wheel, roller coasters, and a giant pirate ship over the entrance.

Shriver’s Candy Store is the oldest continuous store on the boardwalk and was founded in 1898. Shriver’s is known for their salt water taffy and visitors can watch it being made in the back of the store. Another favorite is Johnson’s Popcorn, who will ship their popcorn anywhere in the country.