The author, who served as a trustee and general counsel to the Kennedy Center, recounts its conception, development, construction and its progress since opening in 1971.

CONTENTS
Foreword by Roger L. Stevens.

1. Dwight Eisenhower: Advocate in chief for the performing arts.
2. Genesis: The National Cultural Center Act of 1958.
3. Hits and Misses: The first design and early fund raising.
4. Death of JFK: The center becomes a national memorial.
5. Progress: We break ground but our critics won't quit.
6. C-Day': We make the deadline for matching funds.
7. Construction: The miracle takes shape.
8. Crisis: We face work stoppages, deficits and vandalism.
9. Curtain up: The center today.

Appendixes.
     1. Acknowledgments.
     2. The Center's governing structure (Board of trustees and auxiliaries).
     3. Additional notes on chapter 2.
Index.

The author, who served as a trustee and general counsel to the Kennedy Center, recounts its conception, development, construction and its progress since opening in 1971.