A Fools Errand, Lonnie G. Bunch III
A Fools Errand, Lonnie G. Bunch III
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A Fool's Errand
Creating the National Museum of African American History and Culture in the Age of Bush, Obama, and Trump

Author: Lonnie G. Bunch III

Narrator: JD Jackson

Unabridged: 12 hr 49 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 01/28/2020


Synopsis

In its first four months of operation, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture surpassed one million visits and quickly became a cherished, vital monument to the African American experience. And yet this accomplishment was never assured. In A Fool's Errand, founding director Lonnie Bunch tells his story of bringing his clear vision and leadership to realize this shared dream of many generations of Americans.

Outlining the challenges of site choice, architect selection, building design, and the compilation of an unparalleled collection of African American artifacts, Bunch also delves into his personal struggles—especially the stress of a high-profile undertaking—and the triumph of establishing such an institution without mentors or guidebooks to light the way. His memoir underscores his determination to create a museum that treats the black experience as an essential component of every American's identity.

This inside account of how Bunch planned, managed, and executed the museum's mission informs and inspires not only listeners working in museums, cultural institutions, and activist groups, but also those in the nonprofit and business worlds who wish to understand how to succeed—and do it spectacularly—in the face of major political, structural, and financial challenges.

About Lonnie G. Bunch III

Lonnie G. Bunch III is founding director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, and now secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Prior to becoming the director, he served as the president of the Chicago Historical Society and as the associate director for curatorial affairs at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Bunch is also coauthor of The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden and From No Return: The 221-Year Journey of the Slave Ship São Jose.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Carrie

As a museum professional I have read a lot of museum books but I have never read a museum book like this one. It will remain one of the best books I have ever read. I had tears, chills, outrage. I held my breath at times. It was full of glorious emotion. I’m still in awe that Bunch created the Smith......more

Goodreads review by Emily

From its preface through its final pages, Lonnie Bunch III’s A Fool’s Errand seamlessly weaves together the personal and the political in ways that humanize the work that went into envisioning, planning, funding, building, and opening the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and C......more

Goodreads review by Lea

This book made me laugh out loud and brought me to tears. One of the best nonfiction/memoir/museum books I’ve read. It was such a fascinating inside-look into the intricacies involved with founding a new Smithsonian museum. Bunch opens up about the challenges facing the new museum, from disbelievers......more

Goodreads review by Carole

Living near the District of Columbia, I followed the development of the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC - Congress named it) with interest. A new museum on the Mall is a rare thing, and I feared it might end in disappointment, as did the National Museum of the America......more