SD Center for the Book Director Offers Insights into One Book Selection

It is often beneficial to consider the perspectives and opinions of others in deciding a course of action. Should I purchase a particular brand of something? Should I make plans to attend a particular function? Should I read a particular book?  

SDHC asked the South Dakota Center for the Book Director, Dr. Joshua Rudnik, enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, for his review of the 2026 One Book South Dakota – A Biography of a Mountain: The Making and Meaning of Mount Rushmore by Matthew Davis – and he was willing to share the following thoughts on this work of historical nonfiction: 

“Davis’s book examines the histories geographies, cultures, and peoples surrounding Six Grandfathers, or Mt. Rushmore. This is unique in that prior texts on Mt. Rushmore focused on Gutzon Borglum, the craftsman and artisans who worked on the carving, or even the geography of the area; however, there are few texts that put these dynamics into conversation with one another. In addition, although there are texts that discuss and examine Oceti Sakowin’s relationship with the mountain, their inclusion in the story of Mt. Rushmore is fractured or not acknowledged at all. 

The focus on the mountain, rather than individuals, opens the conversation to all. One aspect of this text that is unique is that it is a firsthand account of one person’s encounter with the mountain. By writing from his own perspective, his own journey in understanding Mt. Rushmore, he challenges us all to not only examine our own attitudes on Mt. Rushmore but makes the case that the carving is representative of all people who contribute to what makes South Dakota great while also acknowledging our fraught history, which Davis refers to as an ‘incomplete truth.’ 

Above all Davis’s text highlights South Dakota’s contribution to our national story by presenting a more active narrative where the mountain, and the meaning surrounding it, continually evolves. 

As a piece of literary non-fiction, Davis does acknowledge that there may be factual mistakes or omissions that are inherent in his project (of which he takes full accountability). While this may be concerning, this is what makes this text valuable: as an ‘outsider,’ Davis brings a unique perspective that highlights the complexity of Mt. Rushmore that, for those of us who live in the presence of Mt. Rushmore daily, may not consider.  

A Biography of a Mountain, as the SD One Book Selection, presents an extraordinary opportunity to invite more voices into South Dakota’s story and, as the past chair of the Programming Committee and the incoming Center of the Book Director, I am excited to recommend this text for this year’s SDHC programming.” 

Information about the 2026 One Book South Dakota Author Tour is forthcoming. For more information about the One Book South Dakota program, visit our website at https://sdhumanities.org/one-book-sd/