Central Park, An American Masterpiece: A Comprehensive History of the Nation's First Urban Park

by Sara Cedar Miller

A visual tribute to America's first public park, published to coincide with its 150th anniversary, documents its artistic and social history, identifies the roles of its designers, and provides period views, original plans and drawings, and modern photographs of the park's restored areas.

Genres: History, New York, Architecture, Nonfiction

240 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2003

About the author

Sara Cedar Miller has been the official photographer and historian for the Central Park Conservancy since 1984. She is the author of Abrams' Central Park: An American Masterpiece. She lives in New York.

Reviews

[Kelly K · Rating 5 out of 5]

This just made me want to go back to Central Park. I've really only seen Strawberry Field, Bethesda Terrace and the Conservatory Gardens. There's so much more! I could easily spend a few days getting lost in the park.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never been to New York City so have not experienced Central Park. I knew very little about the urban park until I read Death Angel by Linda Fairstein. She included so much of the park's design, creation, history and landscape I wanted to learn more and see pictures. Fairstein mentions Miller's book in her acknowledgments. This book was just what I wanted, covering landscapes, architecture and sculptures found in the park - all accompanied by excellent color photographs.

[Ruth Bookridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating book which dives into the history of Central Park. It includes the stories behind the sculptures, bridges and gardens, as well as information about the designers, Olmsted and Vaux. You will have a better appreciation for the park after reading this book. Numerous photos and illustrations make this an enjoyable read.

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous full-spread photos make this a worthy coffee table book, but I also read this baby cover to cover, and I highly recommend it. Miller is THE queen of Central Park history and she did it as much justice as anyone can. The jewel of the greatest city in the world.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations.

[Shawn Rossi]

I wish I could have read it BEFORE visiting Central Park. It's full of fascinating history that would have made my visit even more special!

[Marta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated. Interesting history. Enjoyable read.

[Ew Lake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wish I could return immediately and spend a week seeing in person all I have learned about.

[Ella j]

This made me want to go back to Central Park 🙂‍↕️

[Rachel Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Central Park is definitely my favorite spot in what is probably my favorite city, so when I saw this coffee-table style book, I had to make it mine.

The photographs are gorgeous, and the text, while probably more interesting to an urban planning aficionado, can still be enjoyed by the average reader. My favorite chapter detailed Frederick Olmstead & Calvert Vaux's winning entry in the Central Park design competition, as well as some of the other entries.

This book treats Central Park with a reverence that would almost seem silly if you haven't experienced it's awesomeness for yourself.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

2007 wrote: A great read for the central Park visitor and lover. Some of the pictures are phenomenal , as the park canoften be. An oasis in the busy city, I have found that Central Park's sunrise and sunset, are some of the best around. The juxtaposition of forest and skyscrapers is a unique view. This book offers the history of it's acquisition, planning, building and continual change. In my opinion, the best chapter is one on monuments, where each statue within the park is given a page or two- even the most obscure.

[Fraser Sherman · Rating 3 out of 5]

After visiting New York last month, I wanted to read about Central Park. This book traces the birth of the park from New York's decision to develop "a central park" for the public through Frederic Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux's winning proposal (and the vision behind it--treating the wilderness as the equivalent of raw materials for an art project for instance) and the inevitable political changes that followed. I think I'd rate this higher if I were a regular visitor but as it was I skipped a lot of details regarding individual park statuary. Photos are gorgeous though.

[Liren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book sits on my coffee table and represents my New York upbringing -- I originally bought it so I could gaze at the photographs and reminisce of my lunches in the park. It turned out to be a beautifully written history of the park as well. This should be required reading for any New Yorker (past and present) who has a soft spot for this piece of green in Manhattan's urban jungle.

[James Nevius · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the few books I've read that manages to do double-duty as both a coffee-table book--Miller's photographs are great--and as a compact, useful history. Indeed, this is probably the best introduction to the park ever written. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in New York or the park. It's a great read.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

after reading Linda Fairstein's Death Angel,I was so interested in getting more facts on Central Park---this is one of the books referenced but it was more of a picture book--I got more info from Death Angel

[Julie Durnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful coffe table book with great historical information and gorgeous pictures. Hope to visit one day and see it all for myself!

[Judith Cartisano · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book, filled with gorgeous photos and an amazing amount of information about the history of Central Park.