I’m now planning a family tour of Washington, DC for the spring, using your book as a guide.  The context of your book left me with a great desire to visit the Tidal Basin bridge, designed and built by Archibald Alexander, the National Capitol Columns at the United States National Arboretum, and Freedom’s Memorial.  My youngest daughter, Erica, is especially interested in visiting the Stephen Decatur House and Slave Quarters.  Your book was very easy to read and the photos were outstanding.  The stories of the individuals who played a big part in the development of our great capitol were conveyed in a way that captured my attention and awakened my curiosity.  Rose V. As a resident of Washington, DC, and one who has visited many of the attractions highlighted in Black Men Built the Capitol, I was amazed by all the new information I gleaned from this book. I learned something new on every page! I am a children's book author who loves history and a former journalist. I found it nothing but pure joy to read this book and discover so much more about black contributions to American and world history. Jesse Holland did his homework, and he did it well. Every American home and every American classroom, from elementary school to college, ought to have this book. Caroline B. Congratulations! Your book was outstanding. The chapters and stories were just the right size for riding Metro between Fort Totten and Farragut North. The map was useful for orienting the places where important events and buildings once stood. It was hard to imagine the District a hundred years ago as you described. The short biographies were interesting, and the pictures, especially the historic ones, put the face and the story together. The picture of Harriet Tubman late in life was especially revealing and touching. Although we have lived in the metro area for 12 years and I was stationed here twice before, I simply did not know about the people, places, and events you talked about. Thank you for teaching me a lot about Washington and the contributions African-Americans made and are making to this great city and great country. Bob and Donna P. Saturdays and Sundays are my days to consume C-SPAN Book TV. I caught your Black Men Built the Capitol interview the Sunday before last, and I just began to read Chapter Three, The White House. Thank you for following your first voice, e.g., researching and getting the word out about whose hands actually built the D.C. places that people visit and where our government stands. Thanks to you, our world will know the truth. Again, thank you. Gerald C. As I read the first chapter of your book prior to my visit to the Capitol, I learned of the African American contributions to Freedom,which was not mentioned during our tour.  During the tour very little to almost none was spoken of African American contributions.  I am not discrediting the knowledge of the guide, because we did learn so much. However, I am hoping that through your book and other history publications about minority contributions to this nation ... all Americans ... learn and grasp the true history behind this great nation.  Thank you again for educating me and my family.  I can't wait to finish the book.  Diedra F.