Description
Book SynopsisTrade Review"Catie Marron has done a splendid job of bringing together some of the smartest voices to reflect on some of the most beautiful or important or intriguing public spaces in the world. The result is itself magical." -- Fareed Zakaria, In Defense of A Liberal Education "A charming and informative guide to the architecture, history, politics, and culture of landmark square... City squares are vital spaces throughout much of the globe... Beautiful photos follow each essay." -- Chicago Tribune "Smartly divided into thematic sections: culture, geopolitics, and history...[and] beautifully illustrated." -- Wall Street Journal "Kaleidoscopic...A lively and stylishly illustrated collection, it's perfect for dipping into on a bench in Union Square, or with an aperitivo in the Campo de'Fiori." -- Financial Times "City Squares is a beautiful and haunting collection of essays by some of the finest writers of today. Each chapter is a jewel in itself. Taken together, however, these essays demonstrate the endurance of the human spirit in the spaces and squares of public life." -- Dr. Amanda Foreman, historian and author of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire and A World on Fire "Savor many of the world's most important writers on many of the world's most important places-city squares that incubate and animate democracy, culture and the human spirit. I love learning about how the personal stories of writers I admire intersect with history and urban life." -- Jonathan Alter, journalist and New York Times bestselling author "The essays and their accompanying photography interact with one another, constructing a cross-cultural narrative of diverse societal interaction and activism." -- Publishers Weekly "A corrective to travel writing's tendency to obsess over wilderness and mountains, this collection of essays zooms in on the squares at the heart of the world's cities." -- Financial Times Summer Books "[A] brilliant anthology of essays celebrating the city square...which travelers invariably find indispensable as starting, ending, or gathering points." -- National Geographic "The contributions...are thoughtful and sometimes even surprising... A worthy celebration of the 'one essential urban space'... Dozens of images make a grand testimonial to how people live their lives in public spaces." -- Kirkus Reviews "City Squares packs an anthropological punch... The book isn't just a chronicle of the formation of urban identity; it speaks to the evolution of the modern human." -- Surface Magazine "Demonstrates the potential of public space to influence both personal lives and social conditions... These 18 essays remind us that we bring ourselves to fill the empty spaces." -- PopMatters.com "I found myself with city-break wanderlust after dipping into this absorbing and visually striking anthology...[of] stellar writers... There are arresting photographs throughout." -- The Bookseller (Editor's Choice) "Catie Marron's City Squares is a revelation. It takes you on an incredible journey across the world's greatest cities and their squares through the eyes of the best writers and thinkers. With every turn of the page, you will learn something new." -- Richard Florida, nationally bestselling author of The Rise of the Creative Class and Global Research Professor at New York University "Recommended for those with an interest in how urban spaces intersect with culture, history, and politics, and for travelers seeking a deeper understanding of these famous locations." -- Library Journal "Highly intelligent." -- Introspective Magazine
