The Enduring Genius of Frederick Law Olmsted - Adam Rome

Category: Lecture
Language: English
Keywords: The Great Courses

Written by Adam Rome
Read by Adam Rome
Format: M4B
Bitrate: 32 Kbps

Can a 19th-century landscape architect help us address the sustainability challenges of our time? If we’re talking about Frederick Law Olmsted, the genius behind Central Park, the grounds of the U.S. Capitol, and other iconic green spaces, then the answer’s a resounding yes.
In The Enduring Genius of Frederick Law Olmsted, you’ll learn about the iconic landscape architect’s incredible life—and ponder his incredible legacy. You’ll explore his work as a designer of some breathtaking natural landscapes (as well as some of the painful failures he had to endure along the way). You’ll also consider Olmsted’s efforts to address the momentous challenges of his century, including the Civil War, and the vital role he played in the most transformative period in American history.

How can people, entrenched in a highly mobile and individualistic society, develop a solid sense of community? How can we grow our cities without destroying the environment around them? What ideas offer a rock-solid foundation for sustainable communities and civilizations?