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)

Great book if you are a history lover.

I have always been fascinated by Arlington. So many stories and the history of where it came from and how it came to be our most treasured national cemetery. Although I have only been there once, while listening to this book I was transported back to my visit. I realize now how much I did not see. Well done Mr. Poole!!

This Review Needs a Title...

Poignant history of Arlington National Cemetery. Good read for all Americans. asfghkkjl;'kbgbonsgkbsv jkxc jkxv nkzx zcx.nk

Cringe worthy

This isn't a horrible book. There's a lot to like about it. But it dismisses slavery by asserting that slaves somehow loved loved working at Arlington, and even felt part "ownership" of the plantation. it also portrays Lee and his family as benevolent, and insists that the later reformation of their reputations was well deserved.

There's some good information in Poole's book, but his treatment of slavery and the Lees could not be more wrong.