The A to Z of Washington, D.C. (The A to Z Guide Series, 12) (Volume 12) - Softcover

Robert Benedetto; Jane Donovan; Kathleen DuVall

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0810855097 ISBN 13: 9780810855090

Publisher: Scarecrow Press, 2005

Synopsis

In 1791, Pierre Charles L'Enfant was hired as city planner of what would become Washington, D.C. However, after little more than a year, L'Enfant was dismissed after a dispute erupted involving the destruction of a mansion on Capitol Hill belonging to wealthy landowner Daniel Carroll that interfered with L'Enfant's vision of what would become our nation's capital. The original city surveyor, Andrew Ellicott, and his assistant, Benjamin Banneker, were asked to carry out the construction of the city using the L'Enfant Plan.

The story of the construction of the capital of the United States is just one item covered in The A to Z of Washington, D.C.. This volume, unlike many others, is a guide to the whole city, not simply the glamorous parts. It examines the city from its inception to the present, showing how Washington grew - at times according to official plans, but more often sporadically as things worked out. And it focuses not only on the elite but Washingtonians of many different races, religions and classes. They all have their place in the chronology, the introduction, and the exhaustive dictionary.

"The authors...have done an admirable job of distilling the enormous and increasing volume of information on Washington's people, places, and events into a practical handbook [which] should evolve into an appreciated resource for Washington's residents and students." -H-Net Reviews

"...general readers likely will find it a browser's delight." -ARBA

About this title

About the Author

Robert Benedetto is associate librarian and associate professor of bibliography at Union Theological Seminary and the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, Virginia.

Jane Donovan is a freelance writer. She is the author of five books, and her articles and photography have appeared in the Washington Post, Georgetown Courier, Virginia Heritage, and other publications.

Kathleen DuVall is a freelance editor. Previously she worked as managing editor of Interpretation, a quarterly journal published by the Union Theological Seminary and the Presbyterian School of Christian Education.

Review

I would recommend this book as a worthwhile addition to any public, school, academic or special library...a good, quick resource... (Reference Reviews, Vol. 21, No. 5 (2007))

...a dictionary of the nation's capital as a city of many distinct neighborhoods as well as being a government, historical, cultural, and tourist center. Entries span Adams, Henry Brooks to the National Zoo. The volume includes a chronology, introduction to the city's many facets, and b&w maps.... (Reference and Research Book News)

...a dictionary of the nation's capital as a city of many distinct neighborhoods as well as being a government, historical, cultural, and tourist center. Entries span "Adams, Henry Brooks" to the National Zoo. The volume includes a chronology, introduction to the city's many facets, and b&w maps. (Reference and Research Book News)

Edition details

• Publisher: Scarecrow Press
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0810855097
• ISBN 13: 9780810855090
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 360