Grand Avenues: The Story of the French Visionary Who Designed Washington, D.C.
3 journalers for this copy...
Signed by the author!
I bought this at a library used book sale years ago because I thought the tale of how Washington, D.C., was designed and built must be an interesting one. I started reading it as soon as I bought it, but only made it about a chapter in before losing steam. I don't read a lot of nonfiction, I must admit, and though it was interesting enough, the story didn't grab me like I'd hoped it would. When it came time for the 2011 BookCrossing convention, however, I knew I should read it so it could be one of the centerpiece books (after all, it's in great condition and signed by the author). So I bumped it back up on my To Be Read list and made it a priority.
I'm glad I did. The writing really made history come alive. There were still parts I struggled through, but it had nothing to do with the writing style (though some passages probably could have been shortened, the description does help paint a picture). The figures were well-portrayed, and I soon found myself siding with Pierre Charles L'Enfant at every twist and turn. It's fascinating to think that the city I've known for 25+ years was conceived by a man from France who made a name for himself during the American Revolution and gained favor with Washington. He was definitely a big dreamer, but it was interesting to see the city plans of different cities for some of where his inspiration came from. It was also great to see what elements he came up with or decided were necessary... and what didn't happen.
The book, to me, is divided into two parts: the design and the execution. And poor L'Enfant faced major battles on both fronts. There wasn't enough land purchased/allocated for the city (once they decided where the heck they wanted to BUILD it in the first place). Landowners didn't want to give up their land/houses for an idea. Thomas Jefferson kept butting in, thinking he knew best and completely changing L'Enfant's design and names of things. L'Enfant's name was left off the design when it was published and distributed to the people. There wasn't enough money to do everything planned for (and, oh, the Civil War got in the way as well). Washington wasn't the easiest man to correspond with, especially with all he had to deal with at the time. Builders kept changing the plans and their minds. And did I mention that TJ really acted like a big jerk toward L'Enfant not only before but also while TJ was president? The irony is that only 5 documents are kept in special cold storage cases at the National Archives... so L'Enfant's design of the city will forever sit beside Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence. The worst part was that L'Enfant didn't even get paid for all his work and died completely broke, buried in the yard of some house where he had been taken in as a border.
That part definitely made me cry. It's not a short book, by any means, but his struggle was such a noble one. And to see him end up like that was cruel.
The story has a happy ending, however, as we all know the city was eventually built and stands quite proud today. Congress eventually ruled that L'Enfant was owned money (years after he died). A city planner's son (also a budding city planner) dug up the original design and presented it as a work of brilliance. And L'Enfant was dug up and moved to Arlington Cemetery to a spot that overlooks his grand city (though, ironically, Arlington is now in Virginia so he isn't buried in Washington, D.C.). When I finally visit Arlington Cemetery, I plan to bring a flower or something to place on L'Enfant's grave. I feel so close to him after reading this book about his exploits and reading his letters and thoughts as well.
I bought this at a library used book sale years ago because I thought the tale of how Washington, D.C., was designed and built must be an interesting one. I started reading it as soon as I bought it, but only made it about a chapter in before losing steam. I don't read a lot of nonfiction, I must admit, and though it was interesting enough, the story didn't grab me like I'd hoped it would. When it came time for the 2011 BookCrossing convention, however, I knew I should read it so it could be one of the centerpiece books (after all, it's in great condition and signed by the author). So I bumped it back up on my To Be Read list and made it a priority.
I'm glad I did. The writing really made history come alive. There were still parts I struggled through, but it had nothing to do with the writing style (though some passages probably could have been shortened, the description does help paint a picture). The figures were well-portrayed, and I soon found myself siding with Pierre Charles L'Enfant at every twist and turn. It's fascinating to think that the city I've known for 25+ years was conceived by a man from France who made a name for himself during the American Revolution and gained favor with Washington. He was definitely a big dreamer, but it was interesting to see the city plans of different cities for some of where his inspiration came from. It was also great to see what elements he came up with or decided were necessary... and what didn't happen.
The book, to me, is divided into two parts: the design and the execution. And poor L'Enfant faced major battles on both fronts. There wasn't enough land purchased/allocated for the city (once they decided where the heck they wanted to BUILD it in the first place). Landowners didn't want to give up their land/houses for an idea. Thomas Jefferson kept butting in, thinking he knew best and completely changing L'Enfant's design and names of things. L'Enfant's name was left off the design when it was published and distributed to the people. There wasn't enough money to do everything planned for (and, oh, the Civil War got in the way as well). Washington wasn't the easiest man to correspond with, especially with all he had to deal with at the time. Builders kept changing the plans and their minds. And did I mention that TJ really acted like a big jerk toward L'Enfant not only before but also while TJ was president? The irony is that only 5 documents are kept in special cold storage cases at the National Archives... so L'Enfant's design of the city will forever sit beside Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence. The worst part was that L'Enfant didn't even get paid for all his work and died completely broke, buried in the yard of some house where he had been taken in as a border.
That part definitely made me cry. It's not a short book, by any means, but his struggle was such a noble one. And to see him end up like that was cruel.
The story has a happy ending, however, as we all know the city was eventually built and stands quite proud today. Congress eventually ruled that L'Enfant was owned money (years after he died). A city planner's son (also a budding city planner) dug up the original design and presented it as a work of brilliance. And L'Enfant was dug up and moved to Arlington Cemetery to a spot that overlooks his grand city (though, ironically, Arlington is now in Virginia so he isn't buried in Washington, D.C.). When I finally visit Arlington Cemetery, I plan to bring a flower or something to place on L'Enfant's grave. I feel so close to him after reading this book about his exploits and reading his letters and thoughts as well.
Journal Entry 2 by BCinDC at 2011 BookCrossing Convention in -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings, etc, Virginia USA on Thursday, March 3, 2011
Released 13 yrs ago (4/15/2011 UTC) at 2011 BookCrossing Convention in -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings, etc, Virginia USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
This book will be released at the 2011 BookCrossing Convention.
I found this great book on the book buffet tables at the BC Convention, thanks for setting it free for me to find! I am looking forward to reading it and then passing it on.
