Books I researched and wrote:
The National Archives Building: Temple of American History
Written to celebrate the Archives’ 75th anniversary, this small book is intended as a walk-around guide to the National Archives Building, exploring the history, architecture, and sculpture of John Russell Pope’s masterwork — the home of the original Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights. So many people at the Archives contributed their research, time, and talent to this book, especially Thora Colot, Bruce Bustard, Rick Blondo, and Maureen MacDonald. The photographs were taken by Carol Highsmith and Colin Winterbottom, and the book was designed by Lance Rutter and Yann Legendre.
(Foundation for the National Archives 2009)
Eating With Uncle Sam:
Recipes and Historical Bites from the National Archives
I was late to the meeting when Chef José Andrés visited the National Archives to discuss promotion of its “What’s Cooking, Uncle Sam?” exhibition. The only seat left was the one next to the famed chef, who stood and offered it to me. I quickly introduced myself and sat down, placing on the table between us a huge binder labeled RECIPES. José reached for it immediately, lifting the cover to peek inside, so I decided to be brave, blurting: “Would you write the introduction?” Along with José’s intro and a beautiful and fun design by the Archives’ Brian Barth, the book features 150 recipes from the Archives and its Presidential Libraries and a contribution from Archivist David S. Ferriero’s personal recipe box that he had begged from his favorite New York restaurant, Windows on the World. The restaurant, which once sat atop the World Trade Center, was destroyed in the 9.11 attacks but its recipe for White Chocolate Mousse joins JFK’s Favorite Fish Chowder, Laura Bush’s Guacamole, and Queen Elizabeth II’s Scones in Eating with Uncle Sam. Thanks to Chris DerDerian for the idea to publish a recipe book and to my assistant and collaborator Kathleen Lietzau who scoured the Archives for the must-include recipes.
(D Giles Limited 2011)
NASA: 50 Years of Exploration and Discovery
If you’re chosen for a mission to outer space, do you owe your fellow Earthlings the story of your adventure? To mark the 50th anniversary of NASA, the space agency published this commemorative book and I was honored to be a contributor. My assignment was to capture the day-to-day work of astronauts and to coax out a description of something only a select few have experienced.
(NASA 2007)