“The city comes into existence . . . for the sake of the good life.†So wrote Aristotle nearly 2;400 years ago; articulating an idea that prevailed throughout most of Western culture and the world until the environmental consequences of the Industrial Revolution called into question the goodness of traditional urban life. Urban history ever since—from England’s early-nineteenth-century hygiene laws to mid-twentieth-century modernist architecture and planning to today’s New Urbanism—has consisted of efforts to ameliorate the consequences of the industrial city by either embracing or challenging the idealization of nature that has followed it.Architect Philip Bess’s Till We Have Built Jerusalem puts forth fresh arguments for traditional architecture and urbanism; their relationship to human flourishing; and the kind of culture required to create and sustain traditional towns and city neighborhoods. Bess not only dissects the questionable intellectual assumptions of contemporary architecture; he also shows how the individualist ethos of modern societies finds physical expression in contemporary suburban sprawl; making traditional urbanism difficult to sustain. He concludes by considering the role of both the natural law tradition and communal religion in providing intellectual and spiritual depth to contemporary attempts to build new—and revive existing—traditional towns and cities; attempts that; at their best; help fulfill our natural human desires for order; beauty; and community.
#575743 in Books imusti 2002-05-16Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 4.40 x .40 x 6.80l; .21 #File Name: 019280257796 pagesOxford University Press USA
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. PerfectBy T. HerburgerGiven that the goal of this book is to impart upon the reading a sense of understanding and knowledge about basic ideas of military theorist von Clausewitz; I can only say that this book hit its mark in brilliant fashion.Short; concise; yet filled to the brim with information. I particularly enjoyed how author Mr. Howard set a chapter on "Clausewitz in his time" wherein we see the thinking of the day; the atmosphere in which Clausewitz 'thought;' and so forth. This really set the basis for which one can understand Clausewitz further. I also liked the chapter on the legacy of Clausewitz in which Mr. Howard presents various criticisms of Clausewitz's ideas; and then proceeds to counter them.Overall a must read for all those who are interested in understanding military endeavors- historical or current- which; if you are reading this; then it's safe to say you are in fact interested. Enjoy!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A very helpful introduction to Clausewitz and "On War".By Jaydee LarsonI give this book 5 stars for its thorough introduction to Clausewitz and his opus "On war".The book is well-structured and presents Clausewitz' ideas in a informative way with a good balance of trivia; facts and well founded analyses and interpretations; while resisting the temptation to bore the reader with nerdy details. With this introduction in hand; I feel safe on embarking on a full reading of On War.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Difficult read; interesting theories.By TerenceGood choice for military theorists and enthusiast. Beware that the content was written some time ago and writing style may be difficult for some to consume and deconstruct. Suitable for the progressing novice into deeper military strategic material; specific to military warfare and less abstract than malleable and adaptive doctrines like Sun Tzu's Art of War.
