The Hill

Starred review from August 19, 2024
Taking up more than 1.5 million square feet and boasting more than 600 rooms, plus its own subway system, barbershop, and dining options, the U.S. Capitol proves a fascinating subject in this cutaway-feeling view of its inner workings by Andersen Bower (The Hidden History of
the White House, for adults). In three parts rendered in meticulous detail, the author covers the building’s development, staff, and significance beginning with its initial construction, which was completed by more than 200 enslaved laborers in 1793. Chapters relating the complicated ins and outs of running this small city highlight individuals like Daryl Chappelle, who was the conductor of the Senate subway for 44 years. Later sections describe occasions and legislators who have made history within its halls, such as Hiram Revels, the first Black senator, and Barney Frank, who in 1987 became the first member of Congress to come out as gay. To showcase how the “Capitol has been the site of important moments throughout history,” Andersen Brower additionally spotlights “five incredible days on Capitol Hill” from 1814 to 2021. Archival photos bring the Capitol to life, reminding readers that “understanding the past helps us make sense of where we are today.” Ages 8–12. Agent: Howard Yoon, Ross Yoon Literary.

August 1, 2024
Grades 5-8 In this companion volume to Exploring the White House (2020), Brower presents Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., as both a symbol of American democracy and an actual complex of office buildings for senators, representatives, their staff members, and support-service workers, as well as the Library of Congress and the Supreme Court. Illustrated mainly with black-and-white photos, the text discusses the Capitol's varied purposes and its multifaceted history, while introducing some of the individuals who have maintained the physical structure or worked to keep the legislative branch functioning. Students reading the book to find out what happens within the iconic, domed U.S. Capitol Building will learn much more along the way. From the use of enslaved people in the building of this "symbol of liberty" (infuriating late--eighteenth-century abolitionists in the process) to the storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021 (told from various staffers' points of view), Brower shows her ability to research, organize, and retell stories in ways that help readers see the immediate drama and long-term significance of historical conflicts involving Capitol Hill. Engaging American history.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

October 15, 2024
A detailed guide to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Spanning the time period from the Revolutionary War and George Washington's placement of the cornerstone of the Capitol building in 1793 to the attack on January 6, 2021, and the presidency of Joe Biden, this book offers an in-depth look into how the Capitol as we know it came to be, how it functions, and who runs it, both politically and practically. Brower examines various "firsts" on the Hill, such as the first openly gay member of Congress and the first Hispanic American woman to serve in the House of Representatives. Other sections note the hypocrisy of the fact that the building, itself a monument to freedom, was built by enslaved people and the continuing unequal racial and gender representation in Congress. The information-heavy text is divided into three broad categories: "Places," "People," and "Perspective" (this last section highlights five notable dates). Text boxes with labels such as "Fun Fact" and "Did You Know?" offer additional context and help to alleviate reading fatigue. Photographs, historical newspaper clippings, paintings, and maps pair with humanizing anecdotes to create relevant connections and provide context while keeping the narrative flowing. The detailed table of contents makes this a useful reference for readers to find material for personal and educational uses. Thorough and well paced: ideal for browsing or research. (Capitol timeline, selected bibliography, recommended reading, chapter notes, image credits)(Nonfiction. 9-12)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.