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Central Park, An American Masterpiece: A Comprehensive History of the Nation's First Urban Park Hardcover – April 1, 2003

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 79 ratings

A visual tribute to America's first public park, published to coincide with its 150th anniversary, documents its artistic and social history, identifies the roles of its designers, and provides period views, original plans and drawings, and modern photographs of the park's restored areas.
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Miller is the park's official historian and photographer, and her authority shows, revealing some new facets to this most overexposed of urban spaces. Original plans and drawings (many published for the first time) sit alongside modern-day photographs among the more than 200 color illustrations, creating a sense of the history that underlies this man-made urban landscape. Frederick Law Olmsted, one of the park's designers (the other was Calvert Vaux), saw his plan as a balm to soothe the roiling city's ills. Miller finds him remarking that the park "exercises a distinctly harmonizing and refining influence upon the most lawless classes of the city-an influence favorable to courtesy, self-control, and temperance." Bethesda Terrace was Vaux's ideological baby and, according to Miller, was influenced by the work of John Ruskin, Alexander von Humboldt and Thomas Cole. Kenneth T. Jackson, president of the New-York Historical Society, writes in his preface that Central Park is not the oldest public open space in either the world or the United States, nor is it the largest, nor even the most beautiful, yet it has the most contrast to its surroundings, an expression of a city's life and exuberance, and is properly celebrated as such by Miller.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Sara Cedar Miller has been the photographer for the Central Park Conservancy since 1984 and its official historian since 1989. Her photographs have been published in books and periodicals around the world. Miller lectures extensively on the history of Central Park and serves as a park spokesperson on radio and television. She received an M.A. in art history from Hunter College and an M.F.A. in photography from Pratt Institute. Miller lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

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
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 79 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
79 global ratings

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Customers 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

6 customers mention "Information quality"6 positive0 negative

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

5 customers mention "History"5 positive0 negative

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

4 customers mention "Picture quality"4 positive0 negative

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

4 customers mention "Writing quality"4 positive0 negative

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

3 customers mention "Sturdiness"2 positive1 negative

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

Tattered - the book binding is torn and ripped. Terrible condition.
1 out of 5 stars
Tattered - the book binding is torn and ripped. Terrible condition.
The book is torn and ripped - very disappointed
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2012
    I 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.
    5 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2019
    this 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.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2016
    Overall, 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, 2018
    If 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.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2021
    Excellent history of my favorite park - Central Park. Beautiful photos and great stories .
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2014
    If 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.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2017
    Bought 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.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2013
    I 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

  • Barbara
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love the book - excellent information and history
    Reviewed in Canada on November 1, 2014
    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
  • DOPPLEGANGER
    5.0 out of 5 stars A UNIQUE OASIS OF TRANQUILLITY
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 3, 2015
    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 Price
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 25, 2014
    Excellent book - as comprehensive an overview of the park as I've seen.