New towns for old : achievements in civic improvement in some American small towns and neighborhoods /

New Towns' first edition appeared in 1927 and has long been out of print, but it is still of great interest to planners and historians, particularly exponents of New Urbanism concerned with civic improvements in American towns and neighborhoods. Unlike other studies it is not devoted to larger cities, nor does it provide a complete history of American town planning. This edition contains additional plans not in the original and, more important, an index of more than 350 projects by Nolen, the preeminent town planner of his time. It also includes an overly long introductory essay by Warren, who taught at the Institute of Classical Architecture and was town architect of Seaside, FL. His essay summarizes Nolen's life and career, and offers an overall discussion (with illustrations and notes) of Nolen's major works, including Mariemont, OH (outside Cincinnati); East Walpole, MA; Cohasset, MA; Kistler, PA; and the suburbs of Union Park Gardens, Wilmington, DE, and Meyers Park, Charlotte, NC. Upon reaching Nolen's 1927 text, readers will be immediately impressed with his grasp of history, including the English Garden City, the variety of city plans, and his own ideas, illustrated by excellent photographs and plans of his work. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. General readers; upper-division undergraduates through professionals; two-year technical program students. T. J. McCormick emeritus, Wheaton College (MA)