Mall Maker: Victor Gruen, Architect of an American Dream

Book Description

The shopping mall is both the most visible and the most contentious symbol of American prosperity. Despite their convenience, malls are routinely criticized for representing much that is wrong in America--sprawl, conspicuous consumption, the loss of regional character, and the decline of Mom and Pop stores. So ubiquitous are malls that most people would be suprised to learn that they are the brainchild of a single person, architect Victor Gruen.

An immigrant from Austria who fled the Nazis in 1938, Gruen based his idea for the mall on an idealized America: the dream of concentrated shops that would benefit the businessperson as well as the consumer and that would foster a sense of shared community. Modernist Philip Johnson applauded Gruen for creating a true civic art and architecture that enriched Americans' daily lives, and for decades he received praise from luminaries such as Lewis Mumford, Winthrop Rockefeller, and Lady Bird Johnson. Yet, in the end, Gruen returned to Europe, thoroughly disillusioned with his American dream.

In Mall Maker, the first biography of this visionary spirit, M. Jeffrey Hardwick relates Gruen's successes and failures--his work at the 1939 World's Fair, his makeover of New York's Fifth Avenue boutiques, his rejected plans for reworking entire communities, such as Fort Worth, Texas, and his crowning achievement, the enclosed shopping mall. Throughout Hardwick illuminates the dramatic shifts in American culture during the mid-twentieth century, notably the rise of suburbia and automobiles, the death of downtown, and the effect these changes had on American life. Gruen championed the redesign of suburbs and cities through giant shopping malls, earnestly believing that he was promoting an American ideal, the ability to build a community. Yet, as malls began covering the landscape and downtowns became more depressed, Gruen became painfully aware that his dream of overcoming social problems through architecture and commerce was slipping away. By the tumultuous year of 1968, it had disappeared.

Victor Gruen made America depend upon its shopping malls. While they did not provide an invigorated sense of community as he had hoped, they are enduring monuments to the lure of consumer culture.

Customer Reviews:

Should be on every urban scholar's Must Read list .......2007-07-05

There are only two things to say about this book on Gruen the Mall Maker: 1) The writing must be overlooked, and 2) the substance of the book is crucial to understanding American cities and American culture as we know it today. It made me want to read more about architecture, city planning and economic trends as market forces redesigning neighborhoods, towns, cities and, ultimately, our country. It made me want to go back to school and get a degree in Urban Planning. It made me want to petition the school board to include the study of commerical design and the rise of malls in every high school American history class. It made me want to recommend it to all of my friends who live in cities, love cities, love their malls, live near malls and who shop at malls. The subject matter fascinated me; the writing - not so much so.

Great on American culture, and he did build the first mall.......2004-06-30

This is an excellent book about a single, fascinating individual and about American culture in the twentieth century. There is an irony here: Gruen was very idealistic about the mall's potential to improve society, but he didn't realize that, ultimately, his creation would cause the "malling of America." And he DID build the first mall...the first ENCLOSED mall (rather than an outdoor arcade), which was copied all over the country and is now the dominate type.

First?.......2004-04-05

Mr. Gruen developed and expanded the concept, but no, he did not originate it - he and the automobile made it more successful and widespread, enriching us all.

1956 the first mall? Er, no, not really: not by a century. Google "Arcade+Providence"

The Arcade Building building by J.C. Bucklin & Russell Warren, 1827-1829

The shopping arcade started here. While not called "shopping mall" the arcades were the start of having multiple shops under a single roof. The shopping mall is the same, with addition of parking and not usually urban but sub-urban or even rural.

I shopped in his mall!.......2003-12-29

My first true mall shopping was done in a Gruen mall, although I was quite unaware at the time of the fascinating story behind this complex man and his vision for America's public spaces.

Thanks to this engaging work by Hardwick, I feel now feel enlightened as I prowl the mall that Gruen built. You don't need to be an architect or a social scientist to enjoy this book because the author makes the subject approachable for the inner shopper in everyone.

this is american culture at its best.......2003-12-28

A great read and remarkable that no one has written about Gruen before now. if American retail and architecture is your thing, this is a must have. Hardwick captures Gruen in an objective light, in his time, for the reader to judge. can't wait for the next Hardwick bio.

Planning and urban history.(Mall Maker: Victor Gruen, Architect of an American Dream)(Book Review) : An article from: Journal of the American Planning Association

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Planning and urban history.(Mall Maker: Victor Gruen, Architect of an American Dream)(Book Review) : An article from: Journal of the American Planning Association
Michael D. Beyard
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Journal of the American Planning Association, published by Thomson Gale on January 1, 2006. The length of the article is 850 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Planning and urban history.(Mall Maker: Victor Gruen, Architect of an American Dream)(Book Review)
Author: Michael D. Beyard
Publication: Journal of the American Planning Association (Magazine/Journal)
Date: January 1, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 72 Issue: 1 Page: 133(1)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Customer Reviews:

Argy-Rousseau Well Visited.......2000-02-11

This book by Janine Bloch-Dermant has managed to succesfully capture the spirit of a very talented 20th centuary artist. By focusing on the whole person, and including details of his other talents, his business practice, his method and personal anecdotes, we not only get a clear understanding of his work, but are also inspired by his vision. As a book, this work is thoroughly researched and well compiled, including a Catalogue Raisonne', and details of the master's technique in pate de verre.

This book is a must read for lovers of glass art as well as anyone interested in pate de verre

Book Description

This casebook provides detailed information on real estate law. The casebook provides the tools for fast, easy study. Part of the University Casebook Series®, it includes selected cases designed to illustrate the development of a body of law on a particular subject. Text and explanatory materials designed for law study accompany the cases.

Book Description

The leading agronomist in Mexico's tequila industry and one of America's most respected ethnobotanists plumb the myth of tequila as they introduce the natural history, economics, and cultural significance of the plants cultivated for its production. Valenzuela-Zapata and Nabhan take readers into the agave fields of Mexico to convey their passion for the century plant and its popular by-product, trace tequila's progress from its modest beginnings to one of the world's favored spirits, and tell how innovations from cross-cultural exchanges made fortunes for Cuervo and other distillers.

Customer Reviews:

The big picture.......2004-03-18

This book gave me a overview of tequila that included the agricultural considerations, cultural heritage, and history of mescal de tequila, not just a guide to making margaritas. It is well written with enough detail to satisfy the curious, yet straightforward enough to allow for the average reader. Exceptionally informative book!

TEQUILA! : A NATURAL AND CULTURAL HISTORY

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TEQUILA! : A NATURAL AND CULTURAL HISTORY
Ana G. & Nabhan, Gary Paul Valenzuela-Zapata
Manufacturer: University of Arizona Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000K623QS

Book Description

The award-winning Seizures and Epilepsy in Childhood has already become the standard resource for parents in need of comprehensive medical information about their child with epilepsy. Now this highly praised book has been thoroughly revised and updated to reflect the latest approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy in childhood, including the use of the ketogenic diet as a treatment for children who either do not respond to traditional drug therapy or who suffer intolerable side effects from medications.

In addition to providing up-to-date information about new diagnostic techniques, as well as drugs, diet, and surgical treatments, the authors have included a new chapter addressing the special needs of children with epilepsy regarding routine health care. And as they did in the book's first edition, the authors encourage children with epilepsy to actively participate in school activities and sports, and stress the importance of helping children with seizures and epilepsy to live as normal a life as possible.

Praise for the first edition, winner of the 1991 Epilepsy Foundation of America's National Book Award

"I have wanted a book like this for a long time. To my knowledge, this is the first book combining complete scientific accuracy with a caregiver's compassion and understanding."--James A. Autry, former chairman of the board, Epilepsy Foundation of America

"Optimistic in tone and broad in scope, this is a book for the parent who has a lot of detailed questions."--National Spokesman

"The book is rich in substance and detail. There is a warm, compassionate tone. At the same time, there are no-nonsense facts and figures."--Humane Medicine

Customer Reviews:

If your child has a seizure, you MUST have this book!!!.......2002-03-01

I can't begin to describe the grief and fear and utter isolation I felt when my daughter had her second seizure. I remembered that knowledge is power, and I needed to feel powerful. This book gave that to me and so much more! Suddenly terms made sense and I wasn't alone anymore. The section on family coping is amazing: it's as though the authors have reached inside your mind and put down every emotion you've gone through and some that are yet to come. There are case examples throughout that are uplifting, and yes, sometimes a little frightening, but very helpful to read and very enlightening. Most importantly, the book is positive throughout without minimizing what you're dealing with. My only complaint(and this goes for all books, websites, etc) is the use of percentages to illustrate how uncommon different seizure types are, or how many kids outgrow, etc. We already know our kids beat the odds, we don't need to be reminded, and frankly those numbers that in the beginning were a comfort, now are depressing. Again, if a child in your family has seizures, YOU MUST HAVE THIS BOOK!!!

Get this book, very informative, comforting, a must read!.......2002-01-12

This book contains the answers to most, if not all, of your questions regarding how seizures and epilepsy will affect your child and family. It will also help you know which questions to ask your child's physicians. It is a most complete work. In five sections it describes why seizures occur, diagnosing, treating, coping, and living with epilepsy. Please do yourself a great favor and purchase this book. It is written in language a parent will understand without previous medical knowledge and also it is written with compassion and optimism. I have recommended this book to my family and friends who wish to understand more of how epilepsy is affecting my son's life. You won't be disappointed, buy it today!

Excellent First Book after Diagnosis.......2001-10-24

Excellent first book after you have received the diagnosis on your child. Good overview. After absorbing this information, you will want to move on to books that deal with the specific type of epilepsy with which your child has been diagnosed.

A great comfort.......2001-10-18

When my 13 year old son had his first seizure, I completely freaked out. When he had a second seizure, I completely lost it and became full of anxiety, fear, and anger. But after reading this book, I found great comfort knowing that all the emotions I had were "normal". The book is also easy to understand, and covers a lot of information which has helped me to become more informed regarding seizures and epilepsy.

A godsend for parents of a newly diagnosed child.......2001-01-23

After hours of internet searching and bookstore browsing with not a whole lot of usable results, finding this book was great. It is clearly written, easy to understand, and covers all of the different causes for seizures, as well as medications and some discussion of the physiology of seizures. I am ordering another copy for my daughter's preschool teachers, who want to be as educated as they can be so that they are prepared for potential seizures at school.

Seizures and Epilepsy in Childhood (A Guide for Parents)

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Seizures and Epilepsy in Childhood (A Guide for Parents)

Manufacturer: The Johns Hopkins University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000HLNV2G

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Seizures and Epilepsy in Childhood (A Guide for Parents)

Manufacturer: The Johns Hopkins University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000HLNUDG

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Seizures and Epilepsy In Childhood. A Guide For Parents
John M. Freeman
Manufacturer: Johns Hopkins University Pr.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NUKOJ4

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Seizures and Epilepsy in Childhood: A Guide for Parents
John M. Freeman
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000QYFHC6

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Seizures and Epilepsy in Childhood (A Guide for Parents)

Manufacturer: The Johns Hopkins University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000HLRV36

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Seizures and Epilepsy in Childhood: A Guide for Parents
John M. Freeman; Eileen P. G. Vining; Diana J. Pillas
Manufacturer: The Johns Hopkins University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OPQNBG

Book Description

During the winter of 1861-62, Confederate engineers adapted an old wooden steam frigate, the former USS Merrimac, turning her into a steam-powered ironclad warship, capable of withstanding the fire of any warship afloat. Overnight the CSS Virginia had rendered the old wooden fleets of the world obsolete. The Federal response to this Confederate initiative was to build their own ironclad based around a twin-gun revolving turret. The USS Monitor was completed in record time and sent south from New York to counteract the threat of the Confederate Virginia. The result was one of the strangest naval battles of all time - a well-matched clash between two technically different and revolutionary warships. Hampton Roads was one of the most important naval battles in history, ushering in a new age of naval warfare and warship design. With the South unable to break the blockade which was slowly starving the Confederacy, the battle proved a decisive turning point of the war, marking as it did the end of southern hopes of re-establishing links with the outside world.

Customer Reviews:

Nicely written.......2006-06-16

Very informative. Provides basic background and a good description of the battle. Nicely written and well illustrated. A good source of information for anyone seeking a basic amount of information on this tehcnologically significant battle.

Reads like a novel...ette.......2004-10-25

Hampton Roads 1862: The First Clash of the Ironclads is one of Osprey's finest Campaign books. Firstly, it covers a topic that can easily and readily fit into the 96-page Osprey format. Secondly, the author Angus Konstam is just a damn good writer!

Unlike many other authors for Osprey, Konstam isn't tied up with naming useless movements of ships in a dry fashion, rather, he presents this book like a story. Descriptive and storylike, he tells of how the crew of the USS Congress was grinded like meat against the relentless heated shot of the CSS Virginia, the elation of the USS Cumberland when they believed they where taking down the Virgina with them, the silent, desperate crowds of Confederate onlookers at the departure of the Virginia from Norfolk, as well as using many eyewitness accounts to portray the seeming invincibility of the Ironclads against simple cannonfire.

Everything in the book is easy to understand very enjoyable to read, as well as teaching you nifty facts about early Ironclads. My only complaint is the seeminly extreme numbers of casualties on the Union side at the end of the first day, seemingly a typo. All in all, Hampton Roads 1862 is definetley one of Osprey's strongest Campaign books (right behind Lepanto 1571, also by Konstam).

An Excellent Campaign Summary.......2002-05-08

While a number of books have covered the famous engagement in March 1862 between the first ironclad warships, the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia, few have ever attempted to place this revolutionary battle in a campaign narrative that goes beyond the few hours of actual fighting. In Osprey Campaign #103, British naval aficionado Angus Konstam sets out not only to summarize the famous naval engagements of 8-9 March 1862 in Hampton Roads, but to cover the events leading up to and following the battle. While most Osprey Campaign volumes are strained to cover large campaigns in anything like meaningful detail, the limited scope of the Hampton Roads campaign is well suited for coverage in a 96-page volume. As a campaign summary, Hampton Roads 1862 is a great success, both in terms of breadth and depth.

In accordance with the standard Osprey Campaign format, Hampton Roads 1862 begins with a brief introduction and chronology, followed by sections on opposing leaders and forces. The leaders section covers the secretary of the navy, ironclad designers and vessel commanders for both the Federal and Confederate sides. In the opposing forces section, the author covers the origin and design of both the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia, as well as the role of the Federal blockading squadron, the Confederate James River Squadron, the CSS Virginia's armed tugboat escorts (which are rarely mentioned in most accounts of the battle) and the army units involved in local coastal defense. Complete technical details are provided on all warships, but exact information on the Federal and Confederate army units involved is not provided. An 18-page section covers the background to the battle, including the capture of Norfolk Navy Yard in April 1861, the conversion of the ex-USS Merrimac, the construction of the USS Monitor and the Monitor's near-disastrous coast-hugging voyage to Hampton Roads. The two-day Battle of Hampton Roads is covered in 43 pages and includes much information that is often glossed over in other accounts. A brief section on aftermath covers the fate of the CSS Virginia and the USS Monitor. There are a total of five 2-D maps (the Confederate seaboard in March 1862, Hampton Roads area, the Monitor's voyage to Hampton Roads, warship dispositions on 8 March 1862, operations in the Peninsula Area May 1862) and three 3-D "Birds Eye View" maps (the attack on the USS Cumberland and USS Congress, and two covering the early and later phases of the Monitor-Virginia engagement). There are also three excellent battle scenes: the final construction of the CSS Virginia, inside Monitor's turret and the Virginia's attempt to ram the Monitor).

Overall, this is an excellent Osprey Campaign title. The only obvious error was the misquote of Union casualties from the sinking of the USS Cumberland and USS Congress, when the author asserts that, "over 2,650 sailors had been killed, and almost as many were wounded." This bizarre error must be the result of poor editing, since the combined crews of both Union warships were only around 600 sailors. Actual losses from both ships totaled about 260 killed and 110 wounded. Otherwise, the author displays sound analysis of the main points of the battle as well as the oft-ignored minutiae, such as the role of the neutral French observer warship, the Confederate attempt to board the Monitor and the actions of the James River Squadron. Very well done.

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Hampton Roads 1862 : Clash of the Ironclads (Praeger Illustrated Military History)
Angus Konstam
Manufacturer: NY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MU2U42

Book Description

The most comprehensive bibliography available on historical sources for popular women's magazines, this work fills a niche among existing annotated bibliographies on journalism history. Compiler Mary Ellen Zuckerman focuses on a wide range of topics, providing primary as well as secondary sources from 1792 to 1960. Descriptive and analytical annotations are supplied for each entry. Drawing from 12 years of research on the subject, Zuckerman orients the reader with an introduction to the history of women's magazines in the United States and a historiographical review of sources in the field. Business, advertising, market research, content analysis, editors and writers, and images of women in the media are among the topics covered in the entries. The volume also features special sections on specific women's journals, exhaustive subject and author indexes, and descriptions of manuscript collections. This work is an important resource for professionals, students, and scholars in media, women's history, advertising, and business.

Product Description

Learn about and identify birds using Stan Tekiela's state-by-state field guides. The full-page, color photos are incomparable and include insets of winter plumage, color morphs and more. Plus, with the easy-to-use format, you don't need to know a bird's name or classification in order to easily find it in the book. Using this field guide is a real pleasure. It's a great way for anyone to learn about the birds in your state.

The Lewis & Clark Expedition: Montana's First Bird Inventory Through the Eyes of Lewis and Clark

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The Lewis & Clark Expedition: Montana's First Bird Inventory Through the Eyes of Lewis and Clark
Kenneth C Walcheck
Manufacturer: Lewis & Clark Interpretive Association
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Nature Writing | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Birds | Field Guides | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

General | Birdwatching | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1883844029

Book Description

A comprehensive guide to the birds observed by the expedition during their travels in Montana. References to the journals of Lewis & Clark complement the text.

Montana Birds: An Introduction to Familiar Species (Pocket Naturalist)

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Montana Birds: An Introduction to Familiar Species (Pocket Naturalist)
Waterford Press
Manufacturer: Waterford Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Birds | Field Guides | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

General | Birdwatching | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1889903671

Book Description

The Pocket Naturalist card is a pocket-sized, folding card which provides simplified, easy-to-use reference to what everyone should know about familiar plants, animals, and natural history. Maps are included to highlight prominent sanctuaries and outstanding natural attractions. Every card is laminated so that it is waterproof and practical for use in the field. This card highlights over 100 of Montana's most common breeding birds and familiar migrants.

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