Genius of Common Sense: Jane Jacobs and the Story of the Death and Life of Great American Cities - Softcover

Lang, Glenna; Wunsch, Marjory

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1567924565 ISBN 13: 9781567924565

Publisher: David R. Godine, Publisher, 2012

Synopsis

Three books, all written by women in the early 1960s, changed the way we looked at the world and ourselves: Rachel Carson's Silent Spring, Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique, and Jane Jacobs's The Death and Life of Great American Cities. All three books created revolutions in their respective spheres of influence, and nothing affected city planning and architecture--or the way we think about how life is lived in densely packed urban centers--more than Jane Jacobs's far-sighted polemic.

Here is the first book for young people about this heroine of common sense, a woman who never attended college but whose observations, determination, and independent spirit led her to far different conclusions than those of the academics who surrounded her. Illustrated with almost a hundred images, in­cluding a great number of photos never before published, this story of a remarkable woman will introduce her ideas and her life to young readers, many of whom have grown up in neighborhoods that were saved by her insights. It will inspire young people--and readers of all ages--and demonstrate that we learn vital life lessons from observing and thinking, and not just accepting what passes as "conventional wisdom."

About this title

About the Author:

Glenna Lang's previous work includes illustrations for four classic poems for children with Godine. She wrote and illustrated the award-winning Looking Out for Sarah. Although she grew up in New York City, she lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and teaches at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Marjory Wunsch has illustrated and written numerous children's books. While studying architecture, she encountered problems of urban design, rehabilitation of old buildings, and the ideas of Jane Jacobs. Marjory and her husband live in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Review:

No stodgy history text . . . Genius of Common Sense throbs with [Jacobs's] passionate struggles . . . a handsome book, loaded with primary sources like photographs and contemporary news accounts that bring alive these stories for any teenager wondering how she can make a difference in the world. --Ruth Conniff, New York Times

There is much in the delightful book by Lang and Wunsch..Jacobs's exemplary life story is well enough told by Glenna Lang and Marjory Wunsch to engage young readers and interest their elders as well. --Jason Epstein, New York Review of Books

Written for young adults, this story of an independent thinker is a good read for all ages. --ForeWord Reviews

About this edition

• Publisher: David R. Godine, Publisher
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1567924565
• ISBN 13: 9781567924565
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 127