Your Not-So-Lying Eyes

Published in 1961, 'The Death and Life of Great American Cities' is a seminal work by Jane Jacobs that critiques the urban planning policies of the 1950s. Jacobs argues against the modernist urban renewal practices that separated uses and led to the decline of city neighborhoods. She advocates for dense, mixed-use development, walkable streets, and the importance of 'eyes on the street' to maintain public order. The book emphasizes the complexity of urban life and the need for planning that prioritizes the needs and experiences of residents. Jacobs uses her own neighborhood, Greenwich Village, as a model for a healthy and vibrant urban environment, contrasting it with the urban renewal projects championed by figures like Robert Moses[2][3][5].

This biography, hailed as the definitive portrait of the sixteenth president, is based on deep research in unpublished and newly digitized sources. It reveals how Lincoln's character and personality were crucial in the Civil War and his influence on American public life. The book chronicles Lincoln's childhood, early development, romantic attachments, legal and political careers, and his marriage to Mary Todd Lincoln. It also explores his moral criticism of slavery and his presidency. The updated and condensed version, abridged by Jonathan W. White, makes Lincoln's story more accessible to the general public, offering fresh interpretations and insights into his life as a young man, father, and politician[1][4][5].