A visionary survey of urbanism from the Middle Ages to the late 1930s; with a new introduction by Thomas Fisher Considered among the greatest works of Lewis Mumfordmdash;a prolific historian; sociologist; philosopher of technology; and longtime architecture critic for the New Yorkermdash;The Culture of Cities is a call for communal action to ldquo;rebuild the urban world on a sounder human foundation.rdquo; First published in 1938; this radical investigation into the human environment is based on firsthand surveys of North American and European locales; as well as extensive historical and technological research. Mumford takes readers from the compact; worker-friendly streets of medieval hamlets to the symmetrical neoclassical avenues of Renaissance cities. He studies the squalor of nineteenth-century factory towns and speculates on the fate of the booming twentieth-century Megalopolismdash;whose impossible scale; Mumford believes; can only lead to its collapse into a ldquo;Nekropolis;rdquo; a monstrosity of living death. A civic visionary; Mumford is credited with some of the earliest proposals for ecological urban planning and the appropriate use of technology to create balanced living environments. In the final chapters of The Culture of Cities; he outlines possible paths toward utopian future cities that could be free of the stressors of the Megalopolis; in sync with the rhythms of daily life; powered by clean energy; integrated with agricultural regions; and full of honest and comfortable housing for the working class. The principles set forth by these visions; once applied to Nazi-occupied Europersquo;s razed cities; are still relevant today as technological advances and overpopulation change the nature of urban life.
2016-01-19 2016-01-19File Name: B01AT8UB6A
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A Tradition of SharingBy Bruce K. Hanson; author of For the Record: Confessions of a Vinyl- Soundtrack JunkieI was fortunate enough to be one of Karen Karnes students at Hunter College in the mid-seventies. At first I was not educated enough to really appreciate a ceramics department that boasted Karen Karnes; Susan Peterson; and John Mason as instructors. I was a painting major who accidently discovered Karens wonderfull teaching techniques when I attended the class of my best friend. The following semester I signed up for Karens ceramics class; and stayed with clay for the rest of my life. That was 40 years ago! Yikes!Karen exemplified the sharing qualities that are often associated with potters. She was an excellent advisor to handbuilders as well as wheel throwers. Patient; kind; softspoken; and oh so talented and wise; I find that I am still influenced (consciously and unconsciously) by Karens style; forms; and excellent craftsmanship. Often; when I asked for advise by my own ceramics students I will automatically say; "Id like to suggest..." rather than coming on like gangbusters. (I must also admit that John Mason and later; in graduate school; Doris Licht; were also true mentors.)"The Chosen Path" is a beautifuly realized tribute to one of Americas living treasures. The essays are interesting and imformative; the photos are well chosen; and; in particular; Karens stunning works are handsomely photographed and presented through out the book. I was given a copy of the book for Christmas about four years ago and then; a few months later; Karen sent me a signed copy. That one I keep home while the other is on my desk in school to share with my students. So...even today; Karen shares her talents with others though her actual work and through Mark Shapiros excllent book. My only regret: when Karen and her partner; Ann Stannard; were invited to my wedding 37 years ago; I told Karen not to give us her pottery; knowing her; being her student; and receiving recommendations for graduate school; were more than enough. Karen complied with my wishes but still gave a lovely book about love and committment. Years later; I wish I had kept my big mouth shut. :)0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. We want to see.By Dale AnnAn informative text with far too few images of her work.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Terrific!By CustomerBeautiful book with lots of great photos.
