Landscapes in History

This beautifully illustrated, elegant synthesis of current research and interpretation of European and North American landscape use is the most comprehensive volume available in the field. Much more than an up-to-date overview, the book offers a treatment of cultural, social, political, technological, and philosophical issues as they influence landscape history, including an examination of the environmental impact of human activity. In addition, it closely traces the development of the discipline and profession of landscape architecture. Drawn from the latest literature and documentation, it also reflects the authors many years of field observation and analysis. The authors begin by taking you through European and neighboring landscapes, including the Near East and North Africa. They track the development of human activity through early settlement, agriculturalization, industrialization, and the modern period.^ Next you'll explore North American land use and landscape architecture history, beginning with the influence of Native American cultures. Particular attention is paid to the impact of Euro-American attitudes and practices upon a landscape with limited human alterations to natural systems. You'll also learn about the emergence of the profession of landscape architecture from related disciplines in the mid-nineteenth century. Significant cultural influences, social trends, individuals, sites, and landscape regions in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico are all fully treated. Throughout, the book emphasizes the multicultural experience of landscape. It also brings you a more thorough discussion of the American landscape than any other work of its kind.^ Other up-to-the-minute topics include ecology, conservation, and environmental impact; a geographic context for design and planning; the relationship of values to land use; pre-Columbian landscape, design and planning; historic preservation; and environmental art. In addition, the book examines the role of six key issues in human interaction with the environment; the relationship of people to the natural environment; the effect of technology; human values concerning urban, rural, and natural landscapes; the symbolism of landscape; the social role of design and the role of aesthetics in land planning and design. Containing useful chapter summaries and bibliographies, this is the ideal introductory text for undergraduate and graduate students of landscape architecture and related studies.^ Landscape architects, architects, and planners should also read it in order to explore historical trends in social, cultural, and environmental contexts, and to better understand landscape architecture as a distinctive discipline.

Beyond its central premise, the book can be read through the connected lenses of Nonfiction. Those themes offer useful points of attention as the characters, ideas, or world develop, especially where the book complicates the expectations of its primary category.