The New York Obelisk: Cleopatra's Needle With a Preliminary Sketch of the History, Erection, Uses, and Signification of Obelisks

From the sun‑baked banks of the Nile to the bustling streets of Manhattan, this listening experience follows the remarkable voyage of a single ancient monument. The narrative opens with a vivid portrait of the New York obelisk, known as Cleopatra’s Needle, and quickly expands to trace how these towering stone pillars were raised, revered, and repurposed across centuries. Listeners learn about the gods and pharaohs associated with their elegant carvings, and the ways travelers, conquerors, and scholars have interpreted their silent testimony.

The author weaves together travelogues, archaeological insights, and cultural commentary, offering a clear picture of why obelisks were both symbols of divine power and political propaganda. The book also reflects on the stone’s endurance against wars, natural decay, and the changing values of the societies that surround it. By the end of the first act, listeners are left with a sense of awe for the craftsmanship that survived millennia and curiosity about the stories still hidden in its weathered faces.