SKU: 46050809413

City on a Hill: Urban Idealism in America from the Puritans to the Present

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City on a Hill: Urban Idealism in America from the Puritans to the PresentA sweeping history of American cities and towns, and the utopian aspirations that shaped them, by one of America's leading urban planners and scholars. The first European settlers saw America as a paradise regained. The continent seemed to offer a God given opportunity to start again and build the perfect community. Those messianic days are gone. But as Alex Krieger argues in City on a Hill, any attempt at deep understanding of how the country has

A sweeping history of American cities and towns, and the utopian aspirations that shaped them, by one of America's leading urban planners and scholars.

The first European settlers saw America as a paradise regained. The continent seemed to offer a God-given opportunity to start again and build the perfect community. Those messianic days are gone. But as Alex Krieger argues in City on a Hill, any attempt at deep understanding of how the country has developed must recognize the persistent and dramatic consequences of utopian dreaming. Even as ideals have changed, idealism itself has for better and worse shaped our world of bricks and mortar, macadam, parks, and farmland. As he traces this uniquely American story from the Pilgrims to the "smart city," Krieger delivers a striking new history of our built environment.

The Puritans were the first utopians, seeking a New Jerusalem in the New England villages that still stand as models of small-town life. In the Age of Revolution, Thomas Jefferson dreamed of citizen farmers tending plots laid out across the continent in a grid of enlightened rationality. As industrialization brought urbanization, reformers answered emerging slums with a zealous crusade of grand civic architecture and designed the vast urban parks vital to so many cities today. The twentieth century brought cycles of suburban dreaming and urban renewal--one generation's utopia forming the next one's nightmare--and experiments as diverse as Walt Disney's EPCOT, hippie communes, and Las Vegas.

Krieger's compelling and richly illustrated narrative reminds us, as we formulate new ideals today, that we chase our visions surrounded by the glories and failures of dreams gone by.



Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Belknap Press
Published: 10/29/2019
ISBN: 9780674987999
Pages: 464
Weight: 1.95lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 1.60d

Review Citations: Choice 04/01/2020
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SKU: 46050809413

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4.2 ★★★★★
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M. Boychenko
Waukegan, US
★★★★★ 5
Nice casual shirt
Size: XX-Large, Color: Sky Blue
Great shirt. The size is right. The color is as expected. Comfortable. Didn't iron it yet, so can't tell how easy it is.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2026
A
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Anthony
Grantham, US
★★★★★ 3
Oversized sleeves, but still a good cotton shirt.
Size: Small, Color: Black
The shirt runs big at the sleeves and I'm a more slender person. I usually fit fine into a small sized dress shirt but the sleeves here remind me of airbags. The chest, shoulder and waist area fit fine. Overall, I would appreciate slim fit options or just slimmer sleeves. Everything else is great. Affordable. Its cotton and feels nice. It was packaged in an air tight seal, well done. They pre wash it and it smelled nice out the package. They have buttoned collars and I like those and they aren't the easiest to find with the colors I want. I wouldn't by again because of the sleeves but if they have a slim fit option in the future. Id take the chance and buy it again.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2026
S
Verified Purchase
S R Miller
Birmingham, US
★★★★★ 5
An L shirt for a real L person.
Special Size: Standard, Size: Large, Color: Wine Red
I love this shirt! I have been an "XL" guy for decades. Got back down to "L" a year ago. Finally bought some L shirts, starting with this one. Nice fit. Good stitching, tight buttons, crisp fabric. The button-down neck is sturdy and keeps a classic shape to it after several times through the wash. Not much stretch, so buy it if you are *really* a size L. But if you used to be a size XL, and came down a year ago, get one of these. You deserve it.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2026
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Joe Veto
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
Great shirt - tail could be longer - great color selection - No 1000 pins to remove!
Special Size: Standard, Size: X-Large, Color: Aroyal Blue
Favorite shirt, fits well, looks good, durable. I'd like if the shirt tail was longer. All cotton so they shrink a bit after washing and need to stretch back out. Overall, I'd like if they were a touch larger or I was a touch smaller. I love that they don't have a HUGE AMAZON BASICS label on them. And I LOVE that I don't have to spend thirty minutes removing tiny stick pins like other dress shirt makers force you to do - what a waste!
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Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2026
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Verified Purchase
Kevin
Lowell, US
★★★★★ 4
Reliable, well-made shirt with a slightly lighter color than expected
Special Size: Standard, Size: X-Large, Color: Navy, Special Size: Standard, Size: X-Large, Color: Navy
This Alimens & Gentle Oxford shirt is a solid, well-made option that holds up well over time. After roughly 20 wears and washes, it’s proven to be durable and fairly resistant to wrinkles, which is a big plus for a cotton button-down. Fit & Comfort: The fit runs a bit on the loose side, but it’s still comfortable and easy to wear. It’s not a slim fit, so if you prefer a more tailored look, keep that in mind. Material & Performance: The fabric is thicker than most standard dress shirts, which makes it a great choice for cooler weather. It provides a bit more structure and warmth, but it may not be as breathable in the summer months. On the plus side, it washes and irons well and maintains its shape over time. Appearance & Versatility: The shirt pairs well with both dress pants and jeans, so it works in both professional and casual settings. One thing to note — the actual color is noticeably lighter than what’s shown in the listing. In my case, I still liked the look and kept it, but it’s something to be aware of when ordering. Bottom Line: A dependable, slightly heavier Oxford shirt that’s great for fall and winter wear. Best for those who prefer a relaxed fit and don’t mind a small variation in color from the listing.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2026

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