The statesman and reformer James Oglethorpe was a significant figure in the philosophical and political landscape of eighteenth-century British America. His social contributions—all informed by Enlightenment ideals—included prison reform; the founding of the Georgia Colony on behalf of the "worthy poor;" and stirring the founders of the abolitionist movement. He also developed the famous ward design for the city of Savannah; a design that became one of the most important planning innovations in American history. Multilayered and connecting the urban core to peripheral garden and farm lots; the Oglethorpe Plan was intended by its author to both exhibit and foster his utopian ideas of agrarian equality. In his new book; the professional planner Thomas D. Wilson reconsiders the Oglethorpe Plan; revealing that Oglethorpe was a more dynamic force in urban planning than has generally been supposed. In essence; claims Wilson; the Oglethorpe Plan offers a portrait of the Enlightenment; and embodies all of the major themes of that era; including science; humanism; and secularism. The vibrancy of the ideas behind its conception invites an exploration of the plans enduring qualities. In addition to surveying historical context and intellectual origins; this book aims to rescue Oglethorpe’s work from its relegation to the status of a living museum in a revered historic district; and to demonstrate instead how modern-day town planners might employ its principles. Unique in its exclusive focus on the topic and written in a clear and readable style; The Oglethorpe Plan explores this design as a bridge between New Urbanism and other more naturally evolving and socially engaged modes of urban development.
#859151 in eBooks 2015-05-29 2015-05-29File Name: B00W8FCKV2
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. It made the list for my book club!By Ruth-Hanna StrongI love this book! I have given away several copies and keep ordering more when I remember someone else in my circle who needs one. The book tells the story of the Blues in South Carolina (aptly named; apparently) in great detail and with beautiful pictures. Clair De Lune started with slavery and how people who came here under horrible circumstances created a distinctly American art form. She brings the story to the present and shows the evolution of the Blues and how South Carolina and its artists and venues were impacted by and impacted travelers to; from; and through the state. Clair De Lune is a fine ambassador and chronicler of tales that needs telling. My book club is reading it; Ill give another review as more of them read it! The pictures clearly support the narrative and it is a pleasure to pick up over and over again.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Blues got a hold on meBy Brett BydairkIm a big fan of the blues; and have an extensive library of books about them; this is a welcome addition to it. Written by a woman with a deep; intense; and intimate knowledge of the genre and performers; this is not a dry; academic treatise; she instead chooses to tell the story through pictures; most previously unpublished; with one; usually two; per page with a brief sentence or paragraph describing the subject and its place is history; starting with the roots of blues in the African slave trade and the; shall we say; unwilling participants thereof; and continuing up to the present. A slim volume at 127 pages; it is packed with historical pictures and details of people and places both obscure and prominent; but important in SC blues. This book should reside on every blues lovers shelf.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. You Should Get This Book About Blues Music in South CarolinaBy Erv RobinsonThis is a great book on the history of blues in South Carolina with lots of wonderful pictures. I was happy to see that it was easy to read and not full of academic jargon - you dont have to be an ethnomusicologist to appreciate it. The author Clair DeLune is very knowledgeable and well respected by blues musicians and fans in SC. I havent been in one of her classes at the University of South Carolina but I have heard her Tuesday night radio show a number of times (wusc.sc.edu) and have seen her at quite a few blues shows and events over the years. I have also seen and heard quite a few of the musicians she covers in the book. I think anyone with an interest in blues music or South Carolina history will enjoy this book.
