Atlanta’s Parks and Monuments Honored in New Book

MT. PLEASANT, S.C. - May 24, 2013 - PRLog -- The newest addition to Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series is Atlanta’s Parks and Monuments from local author Rodney Mims Cook Jr. The book boasts more than 200 vintage and modern images chronicling the growth and change of Atlanta’s parks and monuments.

Since the city's beginnings after the War of 1812, Atlanta has had a tradition of building with a regard for becoming a world-class metropolis. Before being burned by Union general William T. Sherman in 1864, the city's appearance was described by noted European architect and urban planner Leon Krier as "looking like London in the 18th century."

Atlanta was surrounded by estates and plantations and many of the plantation builders were influenced by Greek and Roman architecture. The argument of slavery to the contrary, builders saw Greek temples as symbols of democracy and, as a result, embraced Greek and Roman revival architecture as the dominant national style. Great monuments followed in this tradition to the letter in the capital of the South.

Images of America: Atlanta’s Parks and Monuments allows readers to better understand Atlanta’s building and urban planning history and shares how this unique history has shaped the community today.

Available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at (888)-313-2665 or online.  

Arcadia Publishing is the leading publisher of local and regional history in the United States.  Our mission is to make history accessible and meaningful through the publication of books on the heritage of America’s people and places.  Have we done a book on your town?  Visit www.arcadiapublishing.com/.