On Hallowed Ground

The Story of Arlington National Cemetery

By: Robert M. Poole

Narrated by: Robert M. Poole

Length: 12 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

More than just a fascinating account of how Arlington came into being at the end of the Civil War, On Hallowed Ground also tells the story of America as reflected in her greatest national cemetery. The history of the land on which the cemetery is built is as varied as our nation's, evolving from its earliest days as Robert E. Lee's ancestral home to a Union headquarters, a haven for freedmen, and finally a burial ground. Robert Poole also shows how the landscape of Arlington changed along with our democracy. Originally segregated by race and rank, the organization of the plots alone tells a complex story.

Poole conducted new interviews exclusively for this audio edition of On Hallowed Ground, featuring a range of key players in the cemetery's history and day-to-day operations. He spoke with Wayne Parks, great grandson of the slaves owned by Robert E. Lee's family and the first cemetery groundskeeper; Gunnery Sergeant William J. Dixon, a Marine and Iraq war veteran who oversees the quality control of Marine funerals at Arlington; and Linda Willey, chairperson of the Arlington Ladies Committee for the Air Force, who makes sure that there is a civilian present at every Air Force funeral. Our edition of On Hallowed Ground features highlights from these and other interviews, as well as more exclusive material, including a rendition of "Taps" played by the Army's principal bugler.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

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Listen to An interview with Robert M. Poole.

©2009 Robert M. Poole (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Vivid, compelling, filled with rich and unexpected detail, On Hallowed Ground tells the little-understood story of Arlington National Cemetery and in the process chronicles how we have honored—and sometimes dishonored—those who gambled everything on our behalf. Robert M. Poole is a fine storyteller and this is a great story.” (Geoffrey C. Ward, author of The Civil War and The War: An Intimate History 1941-1945)

“Improbably gripping and often deeply moving, On Hallowed Ground chronicles both the evolution of our national cemetery and the profound ways in which treatment of the war dead reflects a nation's soul. Readers interested in political, social or military history from the Civil War on will want to read this book.” (Caroline Alexander, author of The Endurance)

"Engaging. Robert Poole is an adroit sketcher of historical events, but even more of character." ( The Economist)

“Graceful and dignified…perhaps more than any other secular site in America, Arlington casts a religious spell. The effect is not accidental…there is ample evidence of sacramental need in the many Arlington rituals that Mr. Poole relates in such moving detail." ( Wall Street Journal)

Authors aren't always readers...

This is an abosorbing story, well written, that is about more than just Arlington Cemetary. How Arlington became Arlington is a story in itself, and the social, economic and polictical forces at work throughtout the 1800 & 1900's that affected the cemetary are very interesting.

The unfortunate aspect of the book is the reader. While Mr Poole wrote a great book, he should have turned it over to a more skilled reader. The somewghat choppy narration is distracting.

Fortunately, the book is interesting enough to overcome the less than stellar narration. I happened to be listening to thsi over Veteran's Day, and the details in the book made the day even more meaningful.

Excellent

The wealth of information within the pages of this book are a remarkable tribute to our nation's burial ground for our fallen.

I have been to Arlington National Cemetary to be a part of the ceremonies for a Coast Guardsman who had lain in a jungle of Laos, Vietnam for 34 years waiting to come home.

What I witnessed in 2003 means so much more to me now as I recall the beauty, solemnity, and love shown to us mourners every second of the day. I understand so much more of what that day meant to thousands, including the professionals of the Old Guard.

Thank you to all!

Possibly the best book I have ever read.

This history of Arlington National Cemetery is exquisite. The depth and breadth of the stories told within and the weaving together of the tales are delicately and respectfully done. A world of struggle is opened up to the reader which is truly eye opening. I wasn't to take the journey again.

An engaging and well written book

Kudos to the writer - for his style and his research. This is a delightful read. It offers a comprehensive history of the cemetery, from its origins to its present traditions. You'll learn about the Civil War fortifications, the village for black refugees from the South, the battle of the Custis family to return the land to their family, the initial ornate monuments, how the simple crosses were designed, why there is a tomb for the unknown soldier, when the current ceremonies we take for granted really started, and so much more. I cannot wait to once again walk through Arlington. I will not look at it with the same eyes.

Outstanding

Beyond the incredible history lesson this book reveals is the incredible reverence that we hold so dear for our fallen comrades. I first saw this book at the gift shop at Arlington and decided to listen to it. I am so humbled everyday to know more and more about the incredible sacrifices we as a country have given. Thanks for the book and God Bless America!

Detailed Account

A historian’s dream book, this detailed account of America’s war dead covers war history with accuracy. Like other historical narrations, having the author read his own work tends to create a numbing drone as fact after fact is presented. The interviews of pertinent participants helps stir interest, and the personal vignettes bring the book to life—but the yawn-factor is high.

Enlightening, Beautiful

"On Hallowed Ground: The Story of Arlington National Cemetery" is a gem of a book that presents American history in a way I've never experienced it before. It starts with a look of its history, our history, in the times of slavery and continues to our day.
Robert E. Lee kind of comes off like, well, let's put it this way: when he gets the land, through his wife's family, he puts up a whipping post where there never was one before. The slaves had been treated with a tiny amount of dignity and respect, but the man needs it to "start producing" because he has needs that have to be met. And he thinks they'd had a free ride in the years prior. Not very nice.
The years, and wars, that follow are discussed, with a history of their major offensives, and it's all heroic. And tragic. So tragic. There's a real respect for those who fought, and especially for those who lost their lives, whether they were seasoned officers or just men on their first day into battle.
I learned so much! About each battle, about everything behind-the-scenes, about the lives and prevailing views of each time period. I'd never known how each Unknown Soldier had been chosen, and it was heartbreaking and touching. And interesting. Since Vietnam, and its controversial determination of an Unknown, we're rather at the point where there may be no more: DNA and modern forensics may determine who they are when they're all finally found. Mothers, wives, children will just have to wait until that day and the day they're brought home. And perhaps they'll have to wait and wait and wait…
And I never knew that "No Man Left Behind" started in the Korean War with "concurrent recovery," where battle lines were constantly changing and the stripping of corpses by the Chinese meant battleground cemeteries on foreign soil were an impossibility.
What touched me most was what somberness, what dignity, and respect are shown to each of our nation's fallen: each soldier is carried with care, salutes are shot with precision, and flags are folded with crisp perfectness. And there is someone always, always there for the families. Every soldier comes with his own story, with his own lost dreams. It broke my heart.
The author narrates this, obviously he's a military man who knows what he's talking about, from whence each man comes. He delivers it all in that almost flat military tone but one that's knowledgeable, respectful, and, oddly, emotional at times. I'll admit it: I cried here and there throughout.
If you love history, if you love a good, touching story, if you have respect for the fallen: you won't regret this one. It was more moving than many a book I've listened to in a long time.

Great story

Although this book started out rather slowly, and I am not usually not a fan of "read by the author", I enjoyed the book. Once the story got going, I realized there is a lot more to the development of Arlington than I was aware of. I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Civil War history, or to anyone who's been to Arlington. I have, and now I'd like to go back and revisit!

Surprisingly delightful

What made the experience of listening to On Hallowed Ground the most enjoyable?

When I purchased this audiobook, I didn't know what to expect. I was delighted by the story and the story telling. The history, the people, the significance of Arlington were all something that I thought I knew, but I really didn't. Definitely worth the read/listen.

A History Lesson

I've left this one on my iPod to revisit. There is so much interesting, factual information in it. I'm still enjoying it, and notice that some of the information comes to mind when seeing current news.