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Central Park, An American Masterpiece: A Comprehensive History of the Nation's First Urban Park Hardcover – April 1, 2003
- Print length240 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherHarry N. Abrams
- Publication dateApril 1, 2003
- Grade level8 and up
- Reading age13 years and up
- Dimensions10.38 x 1.25 x 9.5 inches
- ISBN-100810939460
- ISBN-13978-0810939462
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Harry N. Abrams; First Edition (April 1, 2003)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 240 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0810939460
- ISBN-13 : 978-0810939462
- Reading age : 13 years and up
- Grade level : 8 and up
- Item Weight : 3.45 pounds
- Dimensions : 10.38 x 1.25 x 9.5 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #452,031 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #175 in Landscape Architecture (Books)
- #250 in Landscape
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

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Customer reviews
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To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book informative and educational about Central Park. They appreciate the great history and pictures. The writing is well-written and detailed, with interesting text. However, some customers have mixed opinions on the sturdiness of the book, with some finding it in excellent condition while others report issues with the binding being torn or ripped.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book informative and educational about Central Park. They say it's the definitive guide and full of history and trivia.
"...This book is chock full of history and trivia that is amazingly dense as well as beautiful photos of CP. I really found it all in this book...." Read more
"...Other than that it was a great read and a wonderful learning experience." Read more
"If there is any interest at all in Central Park, this is the definitive book about it...." Read more
"A beautiful picture book with loads of information about the great park in the Big Apple. Highly recommended." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's history of their favorite park, Central Park. They find it informative with beautiful photos and stories. However, some readers feel there are not enough pictures.
"...This book is chock full of history and trivia that is amazingly dense as well as beautiful photos of CP. I really found it all in this book...." Read more
"Excellent history of my favorite park - Central Park. Beautiful photos and great stories ." Read more
"Nice history of the park..not enough pictures" Read more
"A beautiful picture book with loads of information about the great park in the Big Apple. Highly recommended." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's pictures. They find the pictures fantastic and say there are not enough of them.
"this is a great book. not only lots of pictures but the story, drama, politics, creative genius, and technical innovation that went into the..." Read more
"...It is well written and has fantastic pictures." Read more
"Great book. Never enough pictures...too much copy. Almost like being there. I pick this book often from my shelf and leaf thru. LOVE it...." Read more
"Beautiful photography" Read more
Customers find the book well-written with interesting text and gorgeous pictures. They describe it as a detailed, comprehensive guide that covers everything they need to know.
"...but then i couldn't put it down. so well written." Read more
"...thus book is for you....a finely detailed astonishingly detailed "all there is to know" book on the miraculous Central Park...." Read more
"...It is well written and has fantastic pictures." Read more
"It is a beautiful book with gorgeous pictures and very interesting text. We love Central Park and this has added to our appreciation of it." Read more
Customers have different views on the book's sturdiness. Some find it in excellent condition and would buy again, while others mention the binding is torn or ripped.
"arrived quickly, exactly as described, excellent condition, would buy again, 5 star" Read more
"The book is torn and ripped - very disappointed" Read more
"Great condition..." Read more
Reviews with images
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Tattered - the book binding is torn and ripped. Terrible condition.
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2012I initially bought this book for the photos and to help me with little known facts about Central Park for my company's annual scavenger hunt (which I've won both years!). This book is chock full of history and trivia that is amazingly dense as well as beautiful photos of CP. I really found it all in this book. I am learning so much that I am taking my time getting into it. I found out that my favorite part (the mall) was meant to be the center 'crown jewel' of the Park and funny I always sensed it was! If you are at all interested in the park, this is a great educational tool.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2019this is a great book. not only lots of pictures but the story, drama, politics, creative genius, and technical innovation that went into the creation of central park is a fascinating story. i purchased this as a gift to a dear friend with whom i spent many happy memories in central park a very long time ago. so before boxing it up, i thought i'd look at the pix and just skim some of the text. but then i couldn't put it down. so well written.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2016Overall, this book met all of my expectations. Beautifully illustrated. The only aspects I would have liked to see more of were more pictures of Central Park during its ongoing phases of landscaping and lists of trees and shrubbery planted. Other than that it was a great read and a wonderful learning experience.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2018If you are at the level of consciousness where you walk around Central Park with a sense of wonder and awe,
thus book is for you....a finely detailed astonishingly detailed "all there is to know" book on the miraculous Central Park.
If you are just curious and can never journey to and inside the park this book is equally important to those who are inspired by committed brilliance.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2021Excellent history of my favorite park - Central Park. Beautiful photos and great stories .
- Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2014If there is any interest at all in Central Park, this is the definitive book about it. I became interested after reading a mystery that took place in the Park and had many descriptions of parts of the Park. When I received this book, I placed myself in the park to a much greater extent than was possible without it. Enjoy it as I have.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2017Bought this book as a gift. The receiver of the book who absolutely loves Central Park, loves this book. It is well written and has fantastic pictures.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2013I was spurred to purchase this descriptive and pictorial history of Central Park after reading the much-enjoyed detective novels by Linda Fairstein. The book looks like it could be just another beautiful coffee table decoration but it is a fascinating read cover to cover. I guarantee you will devour it, especially if you read Death Angel by Ms Fairstein.
Top reviews from other countries
- BarbaraReviewed in Canada on November 1, 2014
5.0 out of 5 stars Love the book - excellent information and history
Love the book - excellent information and history. Beautiful pictures. Now need a week in the park to walk through and appreciate what I have just read.
Barb
- DOPPLEGANGERReviewed in the United Kingdom on March 3, 2015
5.0 out of 5 stars A UNIQUE OASIS OF TRANQUILLITY
Central Park reigns supreme as the world's greatest urban park and by a very long way. To find, explore, relax in and experience the verdant exuberances of this large island of calm and serenity surrounded by towering edifices, cacophonous noises, and maddening milling humanity is truly wonderous.
The author, a photographer and official historian for The Central Park Conservancy has produced a captivating story of this green miracle complemented by her photographs, and original plans and drawings.
If you cannot get to visit Central Park, and everyone should try if humanly and economically possible, then this publication is next best.
- Alec PriceReviewed in the United Kingdom on September 25, 2014
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Excellent book - as comprehensive an overview of the park as I've seen.