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hopecaldwell's review
4.0
Picked up this biography on a visit to the Biltmore House. It wasn't quite what I expected- there are only a couple of pages out of the entire book devoted to the Biltmore House grounds; however, the book is still an interesting portrait of an amazing figure in 19th Century America. Mr. Olmsted, probably best known as the landscaper & designer of Central Park, came to his career as a landscape architect after several attempts at other careers. He was an accomplished writer and journalist, world traveler, and director of the Sanitary Commission during the Civil War. He eventually created his own landscape architecture firm, partnering with several different people, including his own sons later in life. As much as this book is a great story of an extraordinary life, it is also a fascinating look into America during the 1800s.
If you like biographies, this one is well-written and interesting in its detail.
If you like biographies, this one is well-written and interesting in its detail.
fourstringspark's review
5.0
Frederick Law Olmstead led an incredibly fascinating and diverse life, and this biography – by a man with some understanding and much appreciation for Olmstead’s craft – does it justice. It’s hard to imagine current times producing a self-made autodidact whose life could weave through so many touchstones of history. Olmstead did just that and pioneered an art whose need is timeless – the enjoyment and appreciation of the natural environment by those living in an increasingly urbanized world
lbb00ks's review
I am not the best reader of non-fiction. It has to grab and hold my interest, but the narrative of this book did not quite catch me.
iancolby's review
2.0
About as fun to read as an obituary. Disorganized, poorly written, and BORING. I didn't find the author's insertion of himself charming.
shoelessmama's review
4.0
Well written biography that was thorough yet didn't get bogged down and kept this readers interest throughout. Olmsted was definitely a man ahead of his times and while I knew of his ability to be forward thinking in his landscape architecture before reading this I did not know about his pre- Civil War journeys to the south and I was very interested in his thoughts and assessments of it. Would love to get my hands on some of those writings. Fascinating man!
myrto229's review
4.0
Very well-written and researched. I really enjoyed reading this, though it took me awhile. These 19th century gentlemen certainly had fascinating lives. They just decided, "Well, I guess I'll learn some engineering," or "I guess I'll be an architect." And then they did, no four year degree required.
Olmstead was a fascinating character, and the other fascinating character in the book was, as the title suggests, America in the 19th century. I frankly could have used more of 19th century America, which seems like a wonderful premise. This strange and fertile moment in our history, in which everything seems possible, is just how Olmstead's life feels in this book.
Now, it's a bit dry in the writing. But I could forgive that for the richness of the topic.
Recommended if you like American history, or the history of landscape architecture.
Olmstead was a fascinating character, and the other fascinating character in the book was, as the title suggests, America in the 19th century. I frankly could have used more of 19th century America, which seems like a wonderful premise. This strange and fertile moment in our history, in which everything seems possible, is just how Olmstead's life feels in this book.
Now, it's a bit dry in the writing. But I could forgive that for the richness of the topic.
Recommended if you like American history, or the history of landscape architecture.
rdebner's review
4.0
Jointly a biography of Frederick Law Olmsted (Senior - not whom many think of -- that one is his youngest son) and a portrait of 19th century America, this book clearly demonstrates the milieu in which Olmsted operated and the far-reaching effects that his thought and work had - not only on landscape architecture, but on other kinds of planning, too (National Forest Service, for example). Without calling it such, the author illustrates this time as a golden age of American architecture as well as the birth of landscape architect as a discipline in this country. The author's sympathy with his subject is evident, and augmented by the visits he paid to a number of the sites that Olmsted had designed.
slapshottechnology's review
4.0
Good read. Olmsted led a fascinating life. Interesting to read about his initial trip to China and then his further trips. Also interesting to see he really did not have the overwhelming reputation that I assumed he had after knowing about him from Biltmore. I really liked seeing how he, along with others setup the plan for Central Park, then all the other parks, to really have character and meaning. Did not know he managed a gold mine in California either.