This directory of 472 museums, monuments, and other sites associated with 409 famous Americans is divided into 26 chapters, with the subjects categorized by occupations or achievements. The primary entry for each person includes a brief, objective biographical sketch that summarizes his or her background, rise to prominence, and legacy. The last few paragraphs describe the related museum or monument, complete with address, contact information, and admission price. Articles for additional sites (there are 14 for George Washington alone) immediately follow the primary entry. Museum and other site descriptions are accurate, based upon this reviewer’s visits to several of the venues. . . . An appendix also lists sites by state. This book provides some useful information. . . . VERDICT This title will be helpful to adult travel planners who use public or academic libraries, but it will be of limited use to those doing research or reports.

Library Journal

This listing of locales dedicated to honoring famous American actors, authors, entertainers, presidents, social activists, and more canvasses; 472 museums, historic sites, and memorials of 407 important personages from across the country. Each entry contains pertinent biographical material, descriptions of housing institutions, contact information, hours of operation, and admission prices. As with any volume of this type, the quandaries that will lead to much head-scratching are those institutions not making the cut. But none can argue that every institution listed is deserving of inclusion, whether the J. P. Morgan Library and Museum, in New York City, or the Paul W. Bryant Museum, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. This volume will be great in assisting history buffs and literature readers in making travel plans, and it is recommended for public libraries.

Booklist

Danilov has previously written nearly 30 books, many of which focus on museums. The introduction to Famous Americans discusses the development and preservation of sites that honor famous and some infamous persons, and offers historical overviews of categories of fame. The directory lists 472 museums, historic sites, and memorials honoring 409 persons. Though the coverage is overwhelmingly American, some non-Americans, e.g., Pancho Villa and Winston Churchill, are included. The entries are organized into 26 categories ranging from 'Actors' through 'Socialites.' Each entry includes historical detail on the person, the site, attendance, location, contact information (address, phone, fax, e-mail and website), hours of operation, and fees. Persons noted for fame in multiple areas have see references. Included are scattered black-and-white photos, a geographical guide to sites, a one-page bibliography, and an index of persons, sites, movements, and events. History buffs, vacationers, and beginning researchers all will find this directory useful. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower- and upper-level undergraduates; general readers.

Choice Reviews