Description
Book SynopsisGrady Clay looks hard at the landscape, finding out who built what and why, noticing who participates in a city's success and who gets left in a 'sink,' or depressed (often literally) area. Clay doesn't stay in the city; he looks at industrial towns, truck stops, suburbsnearly anywhere people live or work. His style is witty and readable, and the book is crammed with illustrations that clarify his points. If I had to pick up one book to guide my observations of the American scene, this would be it.Sonia Simone, Whole Earth ReviewThe emphasis on the informal aspects of city-shapingtopographical, historical, economic and socialdoes much to counteract the formalist approach to American urban design. Close-Up...should be required reading for anyone wishing to understand Americans and their cities.Roger Cunliffe, Architectural ReviewClose-Up is a provocative and stimulating book.Thomas J. Schlereth, Winterthur PortfolioWithin this coherent string of essays, the urban dweller or observer, as
