a fool's errand: Creating The National Museum of African American History And Culture In The Age of Bush, Obama, And Trump

Lonnie G Bunch III

ISBN 10: 1588346684 / ISBN 13: 9781588346681

Published by Smithsonian Books, Washington, D.C., 2019

About this Item

Slight discoloration to pages. Some wear along the DJ edges and tips. Minor wear along the edges and tips of the book itself. Some rubbing wear to DJ covers along with light crease and/or wrinkles at some spots.

Seller Inventory # 117346

Bibliographic Details

• Title: a fool's errand: Creating The National Museum of African American History And Culture In The Age of Bush, Obama, And Trump
• Publisher: Smithsonian Books, Washington, D.C.
• Publication Date: 2019
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1588346684
• ISBN 13: 9781588346681
• Binding: Hardcover
• Printing: 2nd Printing
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good
• Weight: 2 pounds
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)

About this title

Synopsis

Founding Director Lonnie Bunch's deeply personal tale of the triumphs and challenges of bringing the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture to life. His story is by turns inspiring, funny, frustrating, quixotic, bittersweet, and above all, a compelling read.

In its first four months of operation, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture surpassed one million visits and quickly became a cherished, vital monument to the African American experience. And yet this accomplishment was never assured. In A Fool's Errand, founding director Lonnie Bunch tells his story of bringing his clear vision and leadership to realize this shared dream of many generations of Americans.

Outlining the challenges of site choice, architect selection, building design, and the compilation of an unparalleled collection of African American artifacts, Bunch also delves into his personal struggles--especially the stress of a high-profile undertaking--and the triumph of establishing such an institution without mentors or guidebooks to light the way. His memoir underscores his determination to create a museum that treats the black experience as an essential component of every American's identity.

This inside account of how Bunch planned, managed, and executed the museum's mission informs and inspires not only readers working in museums, cultural institutions, and activist groups, but also those in the nonprofit and business worlds who wish to understand how to succeed--and do it spectacularly--in the face of major political, structural, and financial challenges.

About the Author

LONNIE G. BUNCH III is Founding Director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, and now Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Prior to becoming the director, he served as the president of the Chicago Historical Society and as the associate director for curatorial affairs at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Bunch is also co-author of The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden (Smithsonian Books, 2000) and From No Return: The 221-Year Journey of the Slave Ship São José (Smithsonian Books, 2017)