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On These Walls: Inscriptions & Quotations in the Library of Congress
• Offers a unique perspective on one of the most celebrated and visited library collections in the world
• All new photography of the inscriptions and the fabulous art that adorn the Library's walls and ceilings
• Of interest to all visitors to the Library of Congress and to scholars of art and architecture
The three imposing buildings of the Library of Congress - the Thomas Jefferson Building, the John Adams Building, and the James Madison Memorial Building - are feats of architecture that hold the nation's knowledge on their shelves and in their drawers. But they are also shrines to the written word, as seen in the wealth of inscriptions on their elaborately decorated walls and ceilings.
This beautifully illustrated book, featuring all new photography by distinguished photographer Carol M. Highsmith, offers readers a guide to these literary inscriptions and explains their significance. Ranging from quotations by great figures in American history, such as Jefferson and Madison, to the words of poets and philosophers from Shakespeare to Emerson, all glorify knowledge and pay debt to the book, which imparts its treasures to man.
For those who have already walked the halls of the Library of Congress, as well as those who are touring them for the first time in these pages, On These Walls is a showcase of literature and art, an extraordinary portrait of an institution whose very ceilings, staircases, and doors fulfill its mission to collect and share the wisdom of all civilizations.
John Y. Cole is founding director of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. He has published widely about books and libraries in society, as well as about the history of the Library of Congress.
Carol M. Highsmith, a distinguished and widely published American photographer, has generously donated much of her work to the Library of Congress.
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• All new photography of the inscriptions and the fabulous art that adorn the Library's walls and ceilings
• Of interest to all visitors to the Library of Congress and to scholars of art and architecture
The three imposing buildings of the Library of Congress - the Thomas Jefferson Building, the John Adams Building, and the James Madison Memorial Building - are feats of architecture that hold the nation's knowledge on their shelves and in their drawers. But they are also shrines to the written word, as seen in the wealth of inscriptions on their elaborately decorated walls and ceilings.
This beautifully illustrated book, featuring all new photography by distinguished photographer Carol M. Highsmith, offers readers a guide to these literary inscriptions and explains their significance. Ranging from quotations by great figures in American history, such as Jefferson and Madison, to the words of poets and philosophers from Shakespeare to Emerson, all glorify knowledge and pay debt to the book, which imparts its treasures to man.
For those who have already walked the halls of the Library of Congress, as well as those who are touring them for the first time in these pages, On These Walls is a showcase of literature and art, an extraordinary portrait of an institution whose very ceilings, staircases, and doors fulfill its mission to collect and share the wisdom of all civilizations.
John Y. Cole is founding director of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. He has published widely about books and libraries in society, as well as about the history of the Library of Congress.
Carol M. Highsmith, a distinguished and widely published American photographer, has generously donated much of her work to the Library of Congress.
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128 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 8, 2020
This is a really interesting guide to the Library of Congress building. It is one of the most interesting buildings to visit in DC as it attempts to capture in artwork and sculpture all the best of Western Civilization. The guidebook is exhaustive and cool but needs more pictures and captions and you sorta need to be in the building to appreciate the book.
November 24, 2016
Probably ok as a guidebook while you are physically within the Library of Congress itself, but when read on its own, or before or after a visit, it's not much help, as there are very few illustrations and no maps of where anything is in relation to anything else.
January 10, 2018
This is a beautiful book, and would be worth the price -- almost -- for just the front and back cover illustrations. There are two reasons I'm not giving it five stars, but I am very glad I picked it up, as a companion piece to Cole & Reed's volume, The Library of Congress.
One problem is the expectation raised by the subtitle: Inscriptions & Quotations in the Library of Congress. It is, frankly, not that. Most of the pictures are not about inscriptions or quotations. Most of the decorative inscriptions in the three buildings are not given, even if they are mentioned. Most of the quotations are not in this text. Instead there is a representative sample, in among what is really here, which is a collection of wonderful color pictures of the art and architecture in the buildings. Sculptures, mosaics, floors, murals, rooms, windows. I would like to own a book that listed all the quotations and inscriptions, but neither book does.
The other problem is redundancy. There is page text, and then there are captions for the pictures. The captions are often just partial quotes of the page text, and since neither is lengthy, you read the exact same sentences twice in the same two minutes. That's not very effective as a presentation strategy.
Most of the book is about the Jefferson Building, which is appropriate to the level of decoration in that building, compared to the other two. What is a bit confusing is that we get maps of both the main floors of the Jefferson Building, but only of one floor each of Adams and Madison, with it being the fifth floor of the Adams. It's not clear exactly why the rest is omitted. Hmmm.
The Library of Congress is worth memorializing, and this book does a wonderful, if partial, job. I recommend the Cole & Reed if you only get one, and you want the history (though it's only about the Jefferson Building). If you want the best pictures, this is the one.
One problem is the expectation raised by the subtitle: Inscriptions & Quotations in the Library of Congress. It is, frankly, not that. Most of the pictures are not about inscriptions or quotations. Most of the decorative inscriptions in the three buildings are not given, even if they are mentioned. Most of the quotations are not in this text. Instead there is a representative sample, in among what is really here, which is a collection of wonderful color pictures of the art and architecture in the buildings. Sculptures, mosaics, floors, murals, rooms, windows. I would like to own a book that listed all the quotations and inscriptions, but neither book does.
The other problem is redundancy. There is page text, and then there are captions for the pictures. The captions are often just partial quotes of the page text, and since neither is lengthy, you read the exact same sentences twice in the same two minutes. That's not very effective as a presentation strategy.
Most of the book is about the Jefferson Building, which is appropriate to the level of decoration in that building, compared to the other two. What is a bit confusing is that we get maps of both the main floors of the Jefferson Building, but only of one floor each of Adams and Madison, with it being the fifth floor of the Adams. It's not clear exactly why the rest is omitted. Hmmm.
The Library of Congress is worth memorializing, and this book does a wonderful, if partial, job. I recommend the Cole & Reed if you only get one, and you want the history (though it's only about the Jefferson Building). If you want the best pictures, this is the one.
July 28, 2022
As we were stepping out of our self-guided tour of the Library of Congress, I remarked to my husband that I really wanted to pick up a book about the symbols in the building because I could spend ages reading about them. Lo and behold, someone did their marketing research because this book was in the very front of the gift shop. I am absolutely fascinated by this secular temple to the pursuit of knowledge. The book is a quick read and doesn't cover every inscription or picture (because that would be a much longer book) but does enough to give you an idea of how the building is conceptualized and put together.
April 28, 2020
Stunning photographs interwoven with quotes and history of the building that make up the Library of Congress. The only criticism is it appears to have wanted to be a large book. Images are often discussed that are not included, or alcoves are described with only one or two images represented, with the layout and other images left to the imagination. Or a Google search.
June 30, 2024
Picked this up in DC last summer and decided to actually read it rather than just flip through the photos. The Library of Congress is such an amazing place and this a great reminder and guide to the beautiful art and craft that went into the buildings. Can’t wait to get back and see it again.
August 9, 2025
A few typos and minor issues, but otherwise a great summary of this marvelous library complex. The artwork, homages and references contained therein give one a good understanding of the founding ideals of this country.
March 29, 2013
If you go to the Library of Congress, bring your binoculars. There is some beautiful work with exquisite detail high above your head. You can buy post cards of it or pick up pamphlets that show and describe the more outstanding works. A lot of it is just, well, "there" with no context. At last, someone, John Cole, a long time promoter of libraries though his work at The Center for the Book, has put it all together.
For me, it was not so much the inscriptions, but the ability to actually see the detail of these wonderful examples of classical public art.
Interestingly, the list of artists at the back shows very few name recognition artists. Some are known for studying with the famous. Quite a few have other large scale works in state capitol buildings, libraries and other cultural institutions, parks, etc.
One draw back is that at the maps in the end do not note the locations of the works, you have to flip back and forth for that. Another is that while this book would have been more expensive in a larger format, the content would be much better presented if it were.
For me, it was not so much the inscriptions, but the ability to actually see the detail of these wonderful examples of classical public art.
Interestingly, the list of artists at the back shows very few name recognition artists. Some are known for studying with the famous. Quite a few have other large scale works in state capitol buildings, libraries and other cultural institutions, parks, etc.
One draw back is that at the maps in the end do not note the locations of the works, you have to flip back and forth for that. Another is that while this book would have been more expensive in a larger format, the content would be much better presented if it were.
June 4, 2016
I bought this book on impulse on a visit to the Library of Congress's Thomas Jefferson building, having been completely overwhelmed (and, as a book person, verklempt) by the grandeur and beauty of the decorations and inscriptions inside. While I would have preferred a more encyclopedic treatment, listing out all of the many wonderful words painted and carved on the library's walls and ceilings, this book is a great quick guide to selected art and quotations in this most beautiful and inspirational building.
June 10, 2009
I was enthralled by this book! I loved looking at the large photographs of all kinds of artwork in the Library of Congress, much of it on the walls and ceilings. The descriptions were descriptive, factual, and very interesting. It made me want to visit the Library of Congress again and pay better attention to my surroundings!
March 6, 2009
A work of art, itself, this beautiful book takes you through all the rooms at the LOC. I never realized that this place is almost like an American palace, full of gilted porticos, mosaic corridors, stained glass ceiling panels and oh, yeah, books...
October 25, 2009
I visited the Library of Congress and was intrigued by all of the quotations etc. on the wall. I'm glad this book was available so that I didn't have to take a million pictures to remember them! Wonderful pictures. I wish there had been a listing of all of the quotations.
May 25, 2015
If you love the Library of Congress and wish you could bring that magic home with you, you really need to own this book and refer to it often. I was so grateful to find this book because I attempted to write down all of the quotes that I loved and you really cannot get them all.
July 28, 2010
I wish the book had more actual quotations in addition to descriptions of all the art work. There were so many wonderful quotations in the library that are not represented in the book.
October 8, 2012
"The inquiry, knowledge and belief of truth is the sovereign good of human nature." Francis Bacon
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews