BOOK REVIEWS
Books are important. CharacterTowns.org selects and discusses current publications and works from previous generations that still hold wisdom for contemporary city-building. The review also includes published reviews and Youtube links to discussions by or about the author. Books are selected from the attached Suggested Readings.
“TRIUMPH OF THE CITY, How Our Greatest Invention Makes Us Richer, Smarter, Greener, Healthier and Happier” by Edward Glaeser
Summary. Mr. Glaeser is an unabashed advocate of the importance of cities. This doesn’t mean he approves of the current […]
“Urban Planning and Design Criteria” by Joseph De Chiara and Lee Koppelman.
If ever there was a book describing everything about physical spaces and facilities in a city, this would be it. […]
“Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America, One Step at a Time” by Jeff Speck
CT.org…Walkability of cities is an important element of every city’s plans for livability, transportation, recreation and neighborhoods. Walter Kulash and […]
“What I Found in a Thousand Towns” by Dar Williams
The title tells the method, the book tells the whys and wherefores. “Positive proximity” is a big concept…”a state of […]
“What Makes a Great City” by Alexander Garvin
FROM AMAZON… “What makes a great city? Not a good city or a functional city but a great city. A […]
“Why the Museum Matters” by Daniel H. Weiss
CT.org…While the focus of this work is the art museum, the lessons are universal for museums of every ilk and […]
“Contentment Is Hard Work” by Carol Tavris
From the New York Times: Years ago I came upon a melancholy fact: As the popularity of television increased in […]
A Generosity of Spirit: The Early History of the Research Triangle Park by Albert N. Link
CharacterTowns.org usually has no trouble finding insightful summaries and reviews of important books; however, in the case of A Generosity […]
America’s Main Street Hotels: Transiency and Community in the Early Auto Age
by John A. Jakle and Keith A. Sculle Hotels in small cities and towns have always been popular despite a […]
Angel City by Patrick Smith
After leaving their failed farm in West Virginia, Jared Teeter and his family make their way to Florida, with dreams […]