5 stars (A Gorgeous Book Commemorating America's 1st Public Park) - Commemorating the 150th anniversary of Central Park, photographer and historian Sara Cedar Miller celebrates the aesthetic, cultural and historic significance of America's first public park with the book "Central Park, An American Masterpiece." This is the park's definitive illustrated history, and offers some of the most gorgeous photographs I have seen on the subject - a difficult task given the number of pictures that have been drawn, painted and photographed of the Manhattan landmark. The book includes over 200 color illustrations, original plans and drawings alongside modern photos, giving the viewer/reader an historical perspective. Accompanying Ms. Miller's work, portraying the park throughout the seasons, is a well written text which highlights the conception and creation of the park and its art and architecture. This is a big, beautiful picture book that would make a wonderful addition to any home or library. It's a wonderful gift idea. I know as I have given it numerous times. Ms. Miller is the parks official historian and photographer and has been since the mid-1980s. JANA 5 stars (A book as worthy as the park it celebrates) - Sara Miller has put together an outstanding book: a book as vast and detailed as the Great Park itself. For those not familiar with the park and its history, this is an invaluable introduction to the political, demographical, economic and, especially, aesthetic thinking that went into the creation of 800 acres of gorgeous park space in the middle of Manhattan. For those seasoned veterans of NYC history, this is a welcome reminder of the enormous vision and efforts of Calvert Vaux and Fredrick Law Olmsted, as they conceived the park. Nota Bene: A lot of books have gorgeous photos but the print job is miserable ... Others have high-qualtity prints but the photos aren't that interesting ... This book has glorious prints and an expert print job. Pick up this book. Rocco... Harry N Abrams :: Architecture & Landscape :: United States - Mid Atlantic - New York City :: Travel - United States :: Pictorial works :: Parks & Campgrounds :: New York (N Y ) :: :: Central Park- An American Masterpiece- A Comprehensive History of the Nation-s First Urban Park
5 stars (Excellent Read, Great Information) - I love this book. It was the very first guide that I read. However, it has to be taken in perspective. This book is even better en tandem with The Unofficial Guide. Then you have all the information you could possibly need. The Unofficial Guide provides much needed balance, to the official line. This book will get you excited and high as a kite about your trip- which is great. It will tell you about all the wonderful things there are to do and great opportunities that are largely missed. The Unofficial will then proceed to give you a reality check about them and help you set realistic goals and have realistic expectations. This helps so that you're not disappointed. I used these two guides plus the Passporter (for organization) and we had the best trip in the world. We went in August, stayed on property, got around without having to rent a car or wait in long lines in the heat. We saw people looking like they were gonna pass out from heat exhaustion, but we sailed through our trip like a breeze and can't wait to go again. I read Fodor's, Frommer's (excluding the Irrevernt Guide), the Everything Guide, Rita Aero's,Eyewitness (waste of paper), Hassle Free Disney and tons more thru the years- NONE of the others are needed. The best plans are in the Unofficial guide, the best maps are in the official, the best planner is in the Passporter. The others were not used and not needed and a big waste of money. 5 stars (EXCELLENT INFORMATION) - Book is #1 to me. So informative, a must have for first timers or people who have been time and time again. 4 stars (Very good book, but wait for the 2006 edition.) - This book has lots of useful information. The book is somewhat dated already. I realize that Disney changes frequently. If you are planning a trip for the end of 2005 or 2006 I would wait for the 2006 book to be released. ... Disney Editions :: Juvenile Nonfiction & General :: United States - South - South Atlantic (General) :: Travel - General :: Travel :: Special Interest - Family :: Parks & Campgrou :: Birnbaum-s Walt Disney World 2005 - Expert Advice from the Inside Source (Birnbaum-s Walt Disney Wor
4 stars (Interesting book) - The book was very interesting. The only downfall was that it was repetitive at times, however still very interesting. Enjoyed reading 4 stars (A Gripping Read) - This book contains gripping accounts of all known deaths in the Grand Canyon. The intro contains a warning that the stories may keep you up past your normal bedtime--I found this to be true! The book is thick, does drag a little in the middle, and contains some grammatical errors, but these are overshadowed by the enthralling nature of true accounts of fatalities and near fatalities in the grandest of the seven natural wonders. Keith W. Meyers 4 stars (Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon) - This is an excellent and comprehensive summary of fatal accidents of all kinds in Grand Canyon, including airplane crashes. The causes are clearly described in all cases. Some of the accounts are rather repetitive, but that is inevitable in such an inclusive book. ... Puma Pr :: United States - State & Local :: Social Science :: Parks & Campgrounds :: Death & Dying :: Death :: Violent deaths :: Travel & Parks & Campgrounds :: Travel :: Social :: Over the Edge- Death in Grand Canyon
5 stars (A Treasure Trove of Imagineering Insider Info in a Small Space) - The entire point of imagineering anything is to convey a story in a consistent and complete manner. How this is done is the subject of several imagineering books. For the newcomer, the book simply entitled Imagineering is it. For the next stage of imagineer-wannabe, there is the Field Guide. Take a guided tour of the Magic Kingdom land by land, attraction by attraction and learn what goes into making it all work cohesively and seemlessly. This is an absolutely essential component to anyone's library of Disneyana or, more in general, anyone's library of the creative process. This is supposed to be the first in a series of Imagineering Field Guides and I cannot wait until the next ones are published. Good Show. ... Disney Editions :: Juvenile Fiction & General :: Travel - United States :: Travel :: Special Interest - Family :: Parks & Campgrounds :: The Disney Imagineers :: :: The Imagineering Field Guide to Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World
