Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Frederick Law Olmsted: Designing the American Landscape

Rate this book
An updated edition of the Rizzoli classic to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of this seminal American landscape designer.


A landscape architect, city planner, and creative genius who transformed the American landscape, Frederick Law Olmsted was a man of passionate vision and drive. He defined the profession of landscape architecture and designed America’s most outstanding landscapes, many gorgeously illustrated here, including New York’s Central Park, Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, the U. S. Capitol grounds, and the Biltmore Estate. During a remarkable forty-year career that began in the mid-1800s, Olmsted created the first major urban parks and park systems in this country, along with widely influential suburban residential communities. He was a pivotal figure in the movement to create scenic reservations and national parks, such as Niagara Falls, Yosemite, and Yellowstone, and he contributed to the design of many academic campuses, including Stanford University.

A comprehensive view of the man and his work, this updated edition of the Rizzoli classic marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of this seminal American landscape designer and includes new photography of Olmsted’s masterworks Central and Prospect parks, as well as a new introduction and new final chapter by the author that examines Olmsted’s ongoing influence.

300 pages, Hardcover

Published November 23, 2021

1 person is currently reading
11 people want to read

About the author

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
3 (50%)
4 stars
2 (33%)
3 stars
1 (16%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 of 1 review
Profile Image for J R.
613 reviews
December 15, 2022
Happen to come across this book on display at my library. I have known about Olmsted for a very long time, however, I never knew of all the iconic places in America that he was responsible for the beautiful grounds surrounding these places.

From our US Capital, Central Park, famous parks throughout the US, residential homes and communities, such as Palos Verdes, Olmsted left this country with his stunning architectural landscape to remember him forever.

Good read indeed!
Displaying 1 of 1 review

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.