本論文運用總統府檔案、行政院檔案、監察院檔案、國史館檔案、檔案管理局檔案及政府各部門公報和榮工處的檔案和報刊等資料，對於蔣中正逝世之後，在臺北市區所建立的中正紀念堂的發展過程重新進行論述。除了第一章和末章結論外，其餘內容分別由五個章次來敘述。
原本已規劃為臺北市副都心的舊有營區，成為紀念蔣中正的文化園區，中正紀念堂在此處昂然聳立，背後的各項因素值得深入探討。在第二章，當年紀念堂的設計圖在競圖時，為何不是由評選出的第一名拔得頭籌，雖然過去研究者做出初步的解答，然而為求得較以往的研究更為客觀的看法，本論文中對於當年參與競圖者及建築學者採取更全面性的口述訪談，甚而推翻部分學者認為費驊家族參與其事應當避嫌的臆測。在第三章中，利用榮工處所出版的各類刊物與坊間的報導和建築界人士的說法進行對照，以目前和當年的施工技法來論斷，紀念堂的工程技術是否引領風騷、開創新局，在文中呈列出各界不同的看法。
中正紀念堂由創始至今，從隸屬於臺北市政府教育局再到教育部，2012年5月後改隸於新設之文化部之下，臺北市的國立國父紀念館也隨著改變，歷次的改隸都有其背景因素，第四章中就對於內部行政體制的流變加以披陳，亦對堂內常設展和一般的展場的內容詳加敘述、探討，觀者可見蔣中正文物展視室的物件數量有限，展出的物件卻都具有選擇性，均為顯揚蔣中正的偉大，而無參入任何負面的成份，其他的展覽場地管理處則向參展者和廠商收取租金，爭取業務營收成為該單位今後拓展的方向。而紀念堂區和廣場多年來被喻為臺灣民主的聖地，不但是國內反威權爭人權的聚會發聲場所，也是聲援海外爭取民主和自由的地方；2007年民主進步黨在執政的後期對紀念堂採行拆匾更名的行動，各方的反應不一，論文的第五章透過相關人士的訪談，把這次震驚各界的行動從改名到復名，構織出前人研究所未及的細密過程。第六章則舉美國、中國大陸和其他國家之紀念館堂之展場布局及規畫與中正紀念堂進行比較，社會主義國家為強化內部的團結，展示亡者不腐的身軀是主要的做法，近年來的民主國家則用庭園式的設計配合各類塑像，使參訪者與該處更加地親近。
In the first chapter, from many official documents and the other reports, we understand how the memorial hall in Taipei city was establish by political power in the old military area. In chapter 2, we see that since most of the people in Taiwan were very saddened at the passing of President Chiang Kai-shek in April 1975, thus the high-ranking officers of the central government decided to create the monumental park.
Chapter 3 shows how the members of the Rsea Engineering Corporation did the critical project at a steady pace. According to several architects, Madame Chiang（Soong, Mei-Ling）chose the construction blueprints by herself. There are some secrets behind the working plan, and this dissertation tries to correct the mistakes made by scholars in the original version of history. In addition, over thirty years, the inner executive system of the memorial hall has not only been changed three times, but also the common exhibition spaces have gotten larger. Certainly, the displays and matters about Chiang Kai-shek are always present showing his glorious life and his efforts to revitalize the country.
In chapter 5, we see the square or plaza of the memorial hall is referred to as a democratic and sacred place, because many democratic groups have protested about unjust events or have held political events about human rights or freedom in the square since 1989. In 2007, the leaders of DPP wanted to rename the memorial hall；President Chen Shui-bian’s private conversation is reported here. Also, there is a comparison of the area of the memorial hall and Chiang’s other residences of Taiwan. Chapter 6 gives examples of memorials in the United States and socialist nations. In the modern world, the designers in democratic nations like to use the “Garden style” instead of traditional bronze statues to express the friendliness of their presidents.
