
On Hallowed Ground
The Story of Arlington National Cemetery
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Narrated by:
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Robert M. Poole
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By:
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Robert M. Poole
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.
;Listen to An interview with Robert M. Poole.
©2009 Robert M. Poole (P)2010 Audible, Inc.Listeners also enjoyed...




















Editorial reviews
Robert E. Lee had made up his mind. If Virginia secedes from the Union, “then I will still follow my native state with my sword, and if need be with my life”. Lee’s home was Arlington House, the 1,100-acre estate inherited by his wife, Mary Ann Custis Lee (great-granddaughter to Martha Washington and step-great-granddaughter to George Washington). Arlington has a commanding view above the nation’s capital, Washington, at its height rising to over 200 feet above the surrounding area. Topology guaranteed that the Union military would seize and hold this most vital strategic high ground. The Civil War came and quickly the graveyards of Washington began filling up. Soon the fallen Union warriors would be buried at Arlington. These were the first in a series of events that over time would transform the Lee Arlington estate into Arlington National Cemetery.
On Hallowed Ground: The Story of Arlington National Cemetery is a comprehensive history, written and narrated by a man with a passion for places of historical importance. For 21 years Robert M. Poole was a writer and editor of National Geographic and currently is a contributing editor at Smithsonian. Poole, in a Smithsonian interview states, “I am keen on the biography of places — in other words, how a particular piece of geography evolves over time, taking on its own distinctive character.” A native of North Carolina with attractive shades of a Southern accent, Poole narrates with the scholar’s scope of understanding and the patriot’s reverence for the subject. The audiobook producers have expanded the book’s print edition, adding additional material with six narrative voices. Very interesting voices they are; six people, each with close ties to Arlington National Cemetery and each with their own Arlington stories to tell. These narratives are mixed in with Poole’s, somewhat in the way side quotes are injected alongside magazine and newspaper articles. Though this process does put pauses in the main narrative, it most definitely enhances Poole’s story, the sideline details adding deeply moving and engaging details.
What will, and ought to remain with the listener is the profound poignancy of On Hallowed Ground. Lest we forget. —David Chasey
Critic reviews
Incredible!
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great book
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3rd time
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On the money
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What did you love best about On Hallowed Ground?
This presentation did more than tell the story of Arlington Cemetery but gave the background of how the United States has honored the dead through its history. I found it to be very interesting and enlightening to hear of the personalities who shaped this history. For anyone who has interest in Arlington or any of our National Cemeteries, this is a great read.What does Robert M. Poole bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
The author tells the story he wrote with feeling and passion. Also his inclusion of other voices to tell their particular story made the audio very interesting.Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Although a book of history, it is a story that kept me wanting to listen to see how things developed in the various stages of the history of Arlington and in the changing policies that affected the return of the military dead from our overseas conflicts.Excellent story of Honoring the Dead
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The author really did his homework, which is evident all throughout this well organized book. He takes us from the very beginnings of the estate through the most recent events. It also served as a history of the United States from the Civil War to the present, with the author showing how Arlington was tied into many national events of the time. This detail really came through when I actually visited the cemetery and found myself having a much deeper understanding of the ceremony, the locations and people buried there.
The author's narration was performed in a pleasant tone that would be proper for the subject at hand. The audio production was well done and did not notice the typical voice drop-ins that usually come with a book filled with many difficult pronunciations.
Simply put, it gave me a very clear understanding of the sacrifice of our Armed Forces and why they are so proud of the men and women who rest there.
I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Hauntingly Captivating...
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Exceptional
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This is a book that listens like a documentary on television. Brilliantly narrated, with some parts voiced by others, giving you a "History Channel" type of experience. I felt moved in so many places and was amazed at the rich history of this cemetery.
Americans should be proud of this place and Robert Poole has honoured veterans and their families with his beautiful work. I know I will be making a visit to the cemetery, just because of the passion of this book.
If you know a solider, you owe it to them to listen to this story.
A Rich Documentary without images
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Outstanding
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Loving book
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