Grand Avenues: The Story of the French Visionary Who Designed Washington, D.C.

by Scott W. Berg
Grand Avenues: The Story of the French Visionary Who Designed Washington, D.C.
book data
25 ratings, 3.36 average rating, 7 reviews (more data...)
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published
February 13th 2007 by Pantheon

binding
Hardcover, 352 pages

isbn
0375422803    (isbn13: 9780375422805)

description
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 fulfil...more




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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 68)

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Jason Pettus
11/25/07
Jason Pettus rated it: 4 of 5 stars

Read in November, 2007
(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
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christie
04/06/08
christie rated it: 3 of 5 stars

Read in May, 2008
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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Laynie
06/07/07
Laynie rated it: 2 of 5 stars

Read in May, 2007
recommends it for: not so much
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.
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Mr.
02/20/08
Mr. rated it: 5 of 5 stars

Read in May, 2007
I am a D.C. junkie...so this was like manna for me. Great read for serious history geeks.
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Katie
08/01/07
Katie rated it: 3 of 5 stars

Has a copy to sell/swap — Read in June, 2007
Great if you like history books and even better if you've lived in D.C.!
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Xdw
08/24/08
Xdw rated it: 1 of 5 stars

drags in quite a few places
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Brian
03/19/08
Brian added it

Read in April, 2008
forthcoming...
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Jessica
06/27/09
Jessica rated it: 3 of 5 stars


Emily
05/27/09
Emily marked it as to-read

bookshelves: to-read

Adrian
05/17/09
Adrian rated it: 3 of 5 stars


Elizabeth
04/07/09
Elizabeth added it


Kevin
03/29/09
Kevin marked it as to-read

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Rachel
02/28/09
Rachel rated it: 2 of 5 stars


Stephanie Reynolds
02/27/09
Stephanie Reynolds marked it as to-read

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Heather
02/27/09
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Ryan
02/09/09
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bookshelves: to-get, to-read

Katie
01/17/09
Katie marked it as to-read

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Gina
12/26/08
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Frances McMillen
12/22/08
Frances McMillen rated it: 5 of 5 stars


Angela
12/18/08
Angela marked it as to-read

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Grand Avenues: The Story of Pierre Charles L'Enfant, the French... by Scott W. Berg

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