Richard kurin chronicles and pinpoints these national treasures by focusing on key objects in the vast collection. Harvard book store is pleased to welcome richard kurin, the smithsonian institutions under secretary for history, art, and culture, for a discussion of his book, the smithsonians history of america in 101 objects. In this engaging book, richard kurin shows that cultures are also mediated and indeed brokered by countries, organizations, communities, and individuals all with their own vision of the. Follow to get new release updates and improved recommendations. Kurin is still collecting facts and lore about this mysterious.
Each week, our editors select the one author and one book they believe to be most worthy of your attention and highlight them in our. Since its discovery in seventeenthcentury india, the hope diamond, a glimmering deep blue gem weighing over 45 carats, has been shrouded in mystery and steeped in intrigue. The smithsonians history of america in 101 objects new. My deep thanks to lonnie bunch and richard kurin for their kind words.
Hope diamond the legendary history of a cursed gem book. And along the way, the reader learns about gemology, history, geopolitical politics, and how diamond are graded and cut. Richard kurin is the smithsonians under secretary for history, art, and culture. His books have reached both popular and specialized audiences. Fall is fully underway with great events happening nationwide. If youre shopping for the holidays, dont miss the smithsonians history of america in 101 objects, a new book that highlights objects from across the smithsonianfrom buffalo to bakelizerto illustrate american history. As a member of the smithsonians senior leadership team, kurin focuses on strategic direction, institutional partnerships, public. In this engaging book, richard kurin shows that cultures are also mediated and indeed brokered by countries. The legendary history of a cursed gem kurin, richard. The book is much more descriptive than analytical, as kurin sets each object, beautifully photographed, in its historical and institutional context. The smithsonians history of america in 101 objects penguin. Richard kurin at university book store in seattle, wa on thu. Since its discovery in seventeenthcentury india, the hope diamond, a glimmering deep blue gem weighing over 45 carats, has been shrouded in mystery and steeped in. Beautifully designed and illustrated with color photographs throughout, the smithsonians history of america in 101 objects is a rich and fascinating journey through americas collective memory, and a beautiful object in its own right.
Dec 17, 2014 for every object, there is a story to tell. Now under secretary for art, history, and culture richard kurin, aided by a. Kurin rediscovered yohe in his research around the hope diamond and its legend. The smithsonians history of america in 101 objects by. As a member of the smithsonians senior leadership team, kurin focuses on strategic direction, institutional partnerships, public representation, philanthropic support and special initiatives. Here are some of kurins favorite objects related to the pittsburgh region. The smithsonian institution has combined the job of undersecretary of history, art and culture with the undersecretary of science to create one new position of provost. Dec 27, 20 kurin is the author of a lavish new coffee table volume titled the smithsonians history of america in 101 objects, just published by penguin press in an attractive hardcover. Richard kurin is an acting provost and undersecretary for museums and research in the smithsonian institution with six videos in the cspan. Richard kurin, the author of a new book, the smithsonians history of america in 101 objects, is the institutions under secretary for art, history, and culture, responsible for most of the institutions many museums and for many of its research and outreach programs. Richard kurin, an anthropologist and a director of the smithsonian, seems to enjoy debunking the many myths of the famous jewel in hope diamond. Richards new book the smithsonians history of america in 101 objects, is a literary exhibition of objects from across the smithsonian that together offer a marvelous new perspective on the history of the united states. Kurin not only captures every bit of history surrounding the hope diamond, but the mining, trading.
A new book uses 101 of the smithsonians artifacts to tell the story of america. Richard kurin is the author of the smithsonians history of america in 101 objects 4. A walking stick and 100 other objects that tell the story of. Master of arts in anthropology, university of chicago, 1974.
Richard kurin is the smithsonian distinguished scholar and. In kurins hands, each object comes to vivid life, providing a tactile connection to american history. Richard kurin richard kurin born november 27, 1950 an american cultural anthropologist, museum official and author, is the under secretary for history, art, and culture at the smithsonian institution responsible for most of the national museums as well as a variety of cultural and educational programs. Nov 14, 20 if youre shopping for the holidays, dont miss the smithsonians history of america in 101 objects, a new book that highlights objects from across the smithsonianfrom buffalo to bakelizerto illustrate american history. Kurin sheds remarkable new light on objects we think we know well, from. Library journal new york city in the 1890sit was the gilded age, and sumptuous gluttony was the norm. As under secretary for history, art, and culture, richard kurin is responsible for most of smithsonians national museums and a variety of cultural and education programs, as well as several research centers including the center for folklife and cultural heritage. Kurins beautiful new book chooses 101 objectsfrom george washingtons sword to the enola gay bomberthat exemplify american history. The smithsonians history of america in 101 objects by richard kurin. Now under secretary for art, history, and culture richard kurin, aided by a team of top smithsonian curators and scholars, has assembled a literary exhibition of 101 objects from across the smithsonians museums that together offer a marvelous new perspective on the history of the united states. Richard kurin born november 27, 1950, an american cultural anthropologist, museum official and author, is the acting provost and under secretary for museums and research at the smithsonian institution. The morris museum will publicly announce their affiliation with the smithsonian, with remarks by dr. Richard kurin is the smithsonian distinguished scholar and ambassadoratlarge, the first person so designated in the 171year history of the institution.
The smithsonian institution is americas largest, most important, and most beloved repository for the objects that define our common heritage. Richard kurin, director of the center for folklife and cultural heritage, part of the smithsonian museum complex. Hope diamond by richard kurin penguin books new zealand. Jan 07, 2015 in his book, history of america in 101 objects, author and smithsonian curator dr. Richard kurin author of the smithsonians history of. Richard kurin born november 27, 1950, american museum. Richard kurin, distinguished scholar and ambassadoratlarge in morristown, 10. His most recent book isthe smithsonians history of america in 101 objects. Richard kurin is the smithsonians distinguished scholar and ambassador at large. Richard kurin is the under secretary for history, art, and culture at the smithsonian institution. Richard kurin is the smithsonians undersecretary for history, art and culture. Kurin uses the history of the stone and the history of the curse to illustrate the evolution of cultural attitudes toward diamonds and, more broadly, the. Richard kurin archives page 2 of 3 smithsonian affiliations.
Find it at an independent bookseller at indiebound. Kurin, director of the smithsonian center for folklife and cultural heritage, discussed and signed his book hope diamond. Doctor of philosophy in anthropology, university of chicago, 1981. May 12, 2009 kurin, director of the smithsonian center for folklife and cultural heritage, discussed and signed his book hope diamond.
The smithsonians history of america in 101 objects by richard. His new book is the smithsonians history of america in 101 objects, published in october by the penguin. The smithsonians history of america in 101 objects book. Background kurin, richard was born on november 27, 1950 in bronx, new york, united states. Education bachelor, state university of new york, 1972. Intern leanne elston spoke with richard kurin, the books author and the smithsonians under secretary for history, art, and culture. The irving arts center will present an evening with authorarchivist grayson dantzic, whose book on his late fathers. Richard kurin goes beyond the speculation to reveal the truth behind a legendary stone. History and culture richard kurin selected this spinning wheel from the collections of the american museum of natural history in new york city. About for books the smithsonians history of america in. The smithsonians history of america in 101 objects richard kurin on. History of america in 101 objects richard kurin smithsonian. The smithsonian institution is americas largest, most important, and most beloved repository for the objects that define. Kurin is the author of a lavish new coffee table volume titled the smithsonians history of america in 101 objects, just published by penguin press in an attractive hardcover.
A walking stick and 100 other objects that tell the story. Oct 27, 2016 discover book depositorys huge selection of richard kurin books online. In this book richard kurin sorts through the smithsonians vast collections to find 101. In this position, he oversees most of the smithsonians national museums, libraries, and archives, as well as several of its research and outreach programs. Richard kurin works for the smithsonian institution.
Richard kurin is an acting provost and undersecretary for museums and research in the smithsonian institution with six videos in the cspan video library. In kurin s hands, each object comes to vivid life, providing a tactile connection to american history. Richard kurin the smithsonian institution is americas largest and most cherished repository for the objects that define our common heritage. The author, its under secretary for history, art, and culture, has for. Im thrilled to announce that my new book is almost out. Hope diamond by richard kurin goodreads share book. Kurin, a cultural anthropologist, spent more than a decade on the trail of. Richard kurin at university book store in seattle, wa on. He also has presented a new lecture series for the great courses entitled the.
The legendary history of a cursed gem as part of the books and beyond. Johns hopkins university school of advanced international studies, and authored six books. In this engaging book, richard kurin shows that cultures are also mediated and indeed brokered by countries, organizations, communities, and individuals all with their own vision of the truth and varying abilities to impose it on others. Commission for unesco and advised unesco on the drafting of the 2003 international convention for. Discover book depositorys huge selection of richard kurin books online.
The smithsonians history of america in 101 objects ebook. He has worked for the smithsonian for four decades, serving in many roles as a director, undersecretary, and. Dorothys magic slippers in the wizard of oz are silver in the book but were ruby in the movie and at the museum to show off the brandnew technicolor. Ends up, it will be put in a new setting next month. Kurin sheds remarkable new light on objects we think we know well, from lincolns hat to dorothys ruby slippers and julia childs kitchen, including the often.
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