{"product_id":"the-object-at-hand-intriguing-and-inspiring-stories-from-the-smithsonian-collections-hardcover","title":"The Object at Hand: Intriguing and Inspiring Stories from the Smithsonian Collections - Hardcover","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eBeth Py-Lieberman\u003c\/b\u003e (Author), \u003cb\u003eRichard Kurin\u003c\/b\u003e (Foreword by)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrom Dorothy's ruby slippers to a speech that saved Teddy Roosevelt from assassination, this authoritative guide delivers in-depth reportage on the history of remarkable objects from the Smithsonian's collections \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eFor American history, pop culture, and museum enthusiasts \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWith charm and exuberance, \u003ci\u003eThe Object at Hand\u003c\/i\u003e presents a behind-the-scenes vantage point of the Smithsonian collections. Veteran Smithsonian magazine editor Beth Py-Lieberman weaves together adaptations of the magazine's extensive and compelling coverage and interviews with scholars, curators, and historians to take readers on an unforgettable journey through the Smithsonian museums. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eObjects are grouped into the themes audacity, utopia, fierce, haunting, deception, lost, desire, triumph, scale, optimism, playful, rhythm, and revealing to engage with the emotional dimensions of each object, how they relate to each other, and how they fit into the larger American story. A sampling includes: \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eThe Star-Spangled Banner \u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eFrida Kahlo's love letter to Diego Rivera\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAmelia Earhart's Lockheed Vega 5B\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNat Turner's Bible\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn AIDS quilt panel honoring Roger Gail Lyon\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA signpost from the Standing Rock protest \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA glass-plate portrait of Abraham Lincoln \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLife-sized model of a Megalodon\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Hope Diamond\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChuck Berry's Cadillac\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePortrait of Henrietta Lacks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePy-Lieberman reflects on the profound connections between even outwardly dissimilar objects, and offers insight and stories from Smithsonian experts. The book explores artworks, scientific specimens, historical artifacts, airplanes, spacecraft, plants, and so much more, contemplating how each item represents different facets of humanity and resonates with cultural meaning in surprising ways. Whimsical, affecting, and insightful, \u003ci\u003eThe Object at Hand \u003c\/i\u003eoffers an intimate and exclusive tour of the Smithsonian collections.\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBETH PY-LIEBERMAN \u003c\/b\u003eis Senior Museums Editor at the award-winning \u003ci\u003eSmithsonian\u003c\/i\u003e magazine, where as a thirty-six year veteran, she has frequented the halls and galleries of the Smithsonian museums, educating readers on its history, art and science collections and exhibitions. Py-Lieberman is also the editor of the \"At the Smithsonian\" section of \u003ci\u003eSmithsonian\u003c\/i\u003e magazine. Founded in 1970, \u003ci\u003eSmithsonian\u003c\/i\u003e magazine entertains a national audience with its stellar photography and storytelling, as part of the Smithsonian Institution's mission to \"increase and diffuse knowledge.\" The magazine's print and digital audiences number more than 120 million, curious minds looking to better understand the world and its history, science, arts and culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 304\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.1 x 9.8 x 6.7 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e September 26, 2023\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51764504461600,"sku":"9781588347497","price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/9764\/5344\/files\/135afd3ea7f02070a5d07b62b5a49189.webp?v=1780250244","url":"https:\/\/ebocreations.com\/products\/the-object-at-hand-intriguing-and-inspiring-stories-from-the-smithsonian-collections-hardcover","provider":"The E-Book Oasis LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}