In his new book, Matthew Davis explores one of the most iconic monuments in America—and perhaps the world. For nearly a century, Mount Rushmore has loomed large in the American imagination, but its origin story is far more complex than most visitors ever realize. From the slow, decades-long path to its creation, to the artistic and engineering challenges faced by sculptor Gutzon Borglum and the 400 men who carved the mountain, the monument’s history reveals layers that extend well beyond its granite faces.Davis argues that Rushmore likely couldn’t be built today—not only because of its sheer artistic ambition, but because of the changing cultural, political, and ethical landscape. How different communities interpret the monument varies dramatically, shaped by beliefs, culture, memory, and contested histories. The Black Hills themselves provoke discussions of land, belonging, and the legacy of the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie—issues that continue to influence contemporary conversations about meaning, monuments, and national identity.Matthew Davis is also the author of When Things Get Dark. His work has appeared in leading publications such as The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and The Los Angeles Times Review of Books. He has been an Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fellow at New America, a Fellow at the Black Mountain Institute at UNLV, and a Fulbright Fellow. Davis holds an MFA in nonfiction from the University of Iowa and an MA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins. He was the founding director of the Alan Cheuse International Writers Center at George Mason University.A Biography of a Mountain: The Making and Meaning of Mount Rushmore is published by St. Martin’s Press with an official release date of November 11, 2025. It will be available through Bookshop, independent bookstores, Barnes & Noble, Powells, Target, and Amazon.Key TakeawaysMount Rushmore’s creation was shaped not only by artistry, but by politics, ego, and American mythmaking—its origin far more tangled than most realize.Sculptor Gutzon Borglum was both visionary and controversial, celebrated for his art yet entangled with the Ku Klux Klan and known for a domineering temperament.The history of the Black Hills, including the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie and the U.S. government’s seizure of the land, is central to understanding the monument’s ongoing controversy.Contemporary movements such as Land Back demonstrate that Rushmore’s story is not finished—its meaning continues to evolve through debates about justice, memory, and national identity.Memorials reflect their makers. Comparing Mount Rushmore to community-led memorials like Remembering the Children in Rapid City shows how public memory can shift from domination to inclusion.LinksFind out more about Matthew Davis:http://matthewdaviswriter.com/Read Matt’s Substack “About A Place”:https://matthewdavisj.substack.com/Purchase A Biography of a Mountain:https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250285102/abiographyofamountain/Quote of the Episode“History isn’t confined to the textbooks in the Black Hills—it’s a living, breathing organism that you really can’t escape.” — Matthew Davis#MountRushmoreHistory#AmericanMonuments#MatthewDavisInterviewHosted by William MillerBe sure to visit our website for more information about our hosts, guests, and ways you can support the show:

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