"Grand Avenues" tells the riveting story of Pierre Charles L'Enfant and the creation of Washington D.C.--from the seeds of his inspiration to the f...
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Dec 06, 2009
You have to give it to Scott: he studied architecture as an undergrad. Then he got an M.A. in I-forget-what, and an M.F.A. in creative writing.
He came to my Creative Non-Fiction class and gave a speech. He was a cool guy, and his book isn't bad, it's just... Well, I've been to D.C. once, with my eighth grade class. I don't remember much. Were I invested in the city, or its history, I would have finished this book. (If we had been told to read the book more than two days prior to his More...
He came to my Creative Non-Fiction class and gave a speech. He was a cool guy, and his book isn't bad, it's just... Well, I've been to D.C. once, with my eighth grade class. I don't remember much. Were I invested in the city, or its history, I would have finished this book. (If we had been told to read the book more than two days prior to his More...
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Aug 05, 2009
Michael
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The plan to read this prior to a tourista week in DC never panned out. This is ok though as, after reading this I discovered nary a trivial factoid that would have impressed my family, friends, nor the DC Ducks driver (not a recommended investment, btw.). Nonetheless, this is a swell book. With the predictable dearth of documentation – and necessarily focusing only on specific aspects of L’Enfant’s life – Berg manages something that reads as a complete biography of the pouty, pompous Frenchman.
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Dec 16, 2009
Laynie
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I picked this up, with the primary interest in learning the history of the planning and development of Washington D.C. With the exception of one signle chapter, the book reviewed the eccentric character of Pierre L'Enfante, and the challenges he faced in implementing his plan without compromise. The writing is good, but the story theme is repetitive... miscommunication, miscommunication, miscommunication. Go ahead and skip it.
Mar 12, 2011
Adrienne
rated it:
I loved reading about the history of how Washington came to be, partly because its fun to look around and see how it could have turned out differently. But I think my favorite part was reading about the founding fathers when they were interacting about where the White House would be or what a landowner should be compensating. Everyone has heard about the disputes between Jefferson and Hamilton, or Adams and Jefferson, but I had never really thought about George Washington's relationship with a
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Nov 25, 2007
Jason
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(My full review of this book is larger than GoodRead's word-count limitations. Find it at the Chicago Center for Literature and Photography [cclapcenter.com].)
Of all the relatively "modern" topics to develop since the rise of the Industrial Age in the early 1800s, the subject of city planning is one I think particularly fascinating, since by its very nature it seems almost like science-fiction; the attempt to pack millions of humans into a space clearly not designed to natu More...
Of all the relatively "modern" topics to develop since the rise of the Industrial Age in the early 1800s, the subject of city planning is one I think particularly fascinating, since by its very nature it seems almost like science-fiction; the attempt to pack millions of humans into a space clearly not designed to natu More...
Apr 28, 2010
Ben
rated it: 
This book was decent. The language at times was a little grandiloquent but I think that was actually a good touch considering the subject. I would've appreciated more information about Washington D.C. Past L'Enfant's involvement in the project, the book was a little sparse with the development of the city. I understand that it was more of a biography, but Washington was L'Enfant's creation, and without Washington, Berg would've probably found someone else to write about, so a little more history
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Nov 30, 2009
Anne
rated it:
A very interesting book about the design of Washington, DC. The writer, who first trained in architecture, brings a knowing (and heart breaking) account of how L'enfant's passion for the beauty and intricacy of his design becomes his undoing with the land commissioners (short sighted and commercial minded). L'enfant is fired (and his life ruined, really), then redeemed a century later by Frederick Law Olmstead. Hang in there, designers everywhere!
Nov 21, 2011
Gina
rated it: 
Too boring and slow. There is an interesting story in here, sort of, or there should be, but there are a few problems holding it back.
1. There are a lot of blanks in the history of L'Enfant, where the author needs to turn to speculation or assumption.
2. L'Enfant has a really self-destructive personality, making it hard to get invested in him.
3. The author is very invested in the subject, which should help, and apologia can be good, but what it really leads to is weaknesse More...
1. There are a lot of blanks in the history of L'Enfant, where the author needs to turn to speculation or assumption.
2. L'Enfant has a really self-destructive personality, making it hard to get invested in him.
3. The author is very invested in the subject, which should help, and apologia can be good, but what it really leads to is weaknesse More...
May 07, 2011
Scott
rated it: 
My enthusiasm for this book is greatly colored by the fact that I'm a native Washingtonian.
I've read masny dozens of books about Washington and its history, but this one was filled with a plethora of information and incidents unknown to me. Of course, the subtitle tells it all; this is a fascinating look at the character of L'Enfant.
A wonderful history lesson.
I've read masny dozens of books about Washington and its history, but this one was filled with a plethora of information and incidents unknown to me. Of course, the subtitle tells it all; this is a fascinating look at the character of L'Enfant.
A wonderful history lesson.
Aug 02, 2011
Well researched. The first third and the final third about L'Enfant's plan after his death read quickly and are fascinating. The middle section dragged for me and could have used a bit of summarizing.
Mar 12, 2010
Tony
rated it:
For anyone who loves Washington, DC, the city, this is a fascinating story about the trials and tribulations of Pierre L'Enfant in designing the city and getting it built. Another history story that should be read.
Dec 09, 2011
Matt
rated it:
An interesting look at the man who designed Washington DC. I enjoyed seeing our founding fathers from a different perspective, as well as a truly insider's look at how DC was envisioned versus how it was implemented. I don't read historical books like this often, but it makes me want to change that habit.
May 07, 2008
christie
rated it:
I love reading historical stuff that I can relate to, and it's pretty interesting to find out about how DC was built. However, this book focuses more on Pierre L'enfant, and it's hard, honestly, to read about his difficulty getting people to care about "the federal city" as much as he did. He died penniless, and was still owed money by the government at the time of his death. I really enjoyed this book, and will be checking out more DC history next time I go to the libs.
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Feb 08, 2010
Tim
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This was an excellent book to read this weekend in combination with watching the John Adams mini-series.
A well done historic point of view of the designer of Washington DC. It also gives a bit of insight into the careers of President's Washington and Jefferson. Enough in fact to make me somewhat anxious to obtain biographies of both of them as a follow up read.
A well done historic point of view of the designer of Washington DC. It also gives a bit of insight into the careers of President's Washington and Jefferson. Enough in fact to make me somewhat anxious to obtain biographies of both of them as a follow up read.
Feb 20, 2008
Mr.
rated it:
I am a D.C. junkie...so this was like manna for me. Great read for serious history geeks.
Aug 01, 2007
Katie
rated it:
Great if you like history books and even better if you've lived in D.C.!
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