Making the Mummies Dance : Inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Woo. Never a dull moment. No spade not called a spade, no opinion unexpressed. One thing I will certainly say for Hoving, though, is that he isn't any more afraid to discuss his own foibles and shortcomings and outright failures than he is everyone else's. That's part of what makes his writing appealing. When his own horn deserves tooting, it certainly gets tooted (and, again, he is fair - others' horns toot all over the place as well), but he doesn't ignore his errors. I'm still stunned by the sheer underhandedness that went into the acquisition of many, if not most, of the works in the museum, and the strata of hatred and enmity and cronyism (?) throughout the art and antiquities community. Maybe it's just as well I never went that show more route (it was a passing dream) - I would have been eaten alive. I was attracted by the title, which was Hoving's intent when he became Director of the Met. And he did it. show less

Rarely have I enjoyed a book more while disliking the author so intensely. I think he'd be rather difficult to be in proximity with -- and yet he can tell a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat. What an amazing recount of the roller coaster ride of transforming this venerable museum. What an interesting take on city government and arts groups and community groups, etc. The part about the exhibit "Harlem on my Mind" was particularly poignant -- I saw this exhibit as a very small child and it's still etched in my head decades later. A man who accomplished a great deal, who can spin a yarn, and who one can admire for his accomplishments if not his demeanor or methods. Read it.

The Metropolitan Art Museum is one of my favorite places to visit. To sip tea in the American Wing, overlooking Central Park, is lovely. To see the Tiffany glass works and the large Rodin statue in that wing is one of my favorite things to do. And, during the holidays to visit the incredible Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche is a sheer joy. The American Wing contains the Winslow Homer painting titled Gulf Stream, and I love to absorb every detail of this stunning work!

So, then, what's not to like about the museum, except, the previous director! In his book, page after page is filled with me, me, me, me, me, me, me.

Hailing from a small town, of course, I have no reference of cultivating millionaires, or knowing just the show more right thing to say at the right time, I imagine that directing such a prestigious museum, fund raising, and navigating through a pinkies-in-the air board of directors has many challenges.

Still, I could not enjoy the book because of the many references to his accomplishments, his hobnobbing, his snobbery, and thus, the continual name dropping made finishing the book a sheer agonizing accomplishment.

I enjoyed reading Museum: Behind the Scenes at the Metropolitan Museum of Art by Danny Danziger. It was a joy to learn about the Met through his wonderful interviews of employees.
That was a five star book; doesn't light up at all.

Hoving was more impressed and obsessed with himself and all the glamorous people he touched rather than explaining the every day workings of the Met.

He may have made the mummies dance, but I'm very sure that after one round, they were happy to go back into their sarcophagus.

NOT RECOMMENDED show less

After reading this book, the impression I'm left with is that Thomas Hoving is a huge snob.

Basically this book covers the early years of his appointment to director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC. I think it helps to have visited the museum to properly appreciate the works he talks about acquiring, and the changes he made to the building.

It is interesting to read a behind-the-scenes account of acquiring works and museum management - but a lot of it is just name dropping and casually mentioning million-dollar price tags. If I ever become a museum director (Lord, save me from that fate) I would want to read this again, but as a lowly curator it makes my brow furrow in disgust.

It receives three and a half stars because it is show more well written - not because I like the content. show less

A look at what it's like to run a major urban museum: helpful, even now, for understanding stories about the returned artifacts, art auction prices, debates about whether paintings are authentic, and scandals about just how old and valuable things end up on the antiquities market (and in museums.) An entertaining read and a good companion piece to his _King of the Confessors_ -- or any of his other books.

-Kushana

Thomas Hoving was Director of the Met during the 60s and 70s. He's known for creating the museum blockbuster, helping the Met acquire the Temple of Dendur, and being the first to hang the infamous (and now defunct because they blocked the windows) multi-story banners that graced the Fifth Avenue facade.

The book is an interesting behind the scenes look at the museum, quite a few names are dropped (iirc... it's been more than 10 years since I read the thing).

Coupled with "Merchants and Masterpieces", this gives a peek at the first hundred years of the US's largest art museum.

Interesting behind-the-scenes look at the running of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.