dome was constructed with nearly 9 million pounds of cast-iron cast at the new york foundry of james fallow -- james fowler kirkley company. the dome itself is made of cast-iron plates ranging from 387 inch to half an inch thick. the total surface area is about 100,000 square feet. that there are 36 columns around the peristyle and eight total of 108 windows on the dome and thousands of decorative elements, some of which we will show you this morning. much of that restoration work includes repairing more than 1300 cracks, as senator hoeven mentioned. this is the first time the layers of lead-based paint will be completely removed and remediated. the first time we are documenting every crack and defect in the dome. the first time we are using a specially adapted process to repair the cracks in the cast-iron. and the first time we are removing many of the large pieces of ornamentation and recasting them and reinstalling them. this work on the exterior of the dome will be completed by next fall. this is an incredibly complex project and it takes a team of employees and contractors to make it h

tonight, becky will be in correspondence with james fallows. the founding chairman of the new america foundation. he served as the editor of u.s. news & world report. back in april there was a fascinating event about his project through which he and his wife have been exploring america's heartland. there will be time to ask questions. please lineup at the microphone. then we we will have a book signing. it is my sincere pleasure to welcome you. please join me in giving a warm welcome. [applauding] >> thank you so much for coming out this evening. i could not be more delighted. i have known her over eight or nine years now and have watched her development. i am predisposed to like this book. it is really a great book. jonathan yardley gave it such high complements. a human story as well as a canine story, a scientific story, love. it really is an excellent book. i am glad to have a chance to ask some questions. i thought i turned this damn thing off. [laughter] i will call you back later. i am interviewing rebecca frankel. modern technology. so

rebecca frankel is in conversation with james fallows. this is just over an hour. >> hi, everyone. for those of you who have been here before, before, this introduction will seem more personal than usual because i am lucky enough to call rebecca frankel a close friend. now, seven years ago i was approaching two years into my first job here at dc. i would call my mom cryig