Back to nature : the Arcadian myth in urban America / Peter J. Schmitt ; foreword by John R. Stilgoe.

Main entry:

Schmitt, Peter J.

Title & Author:

Back to nature : the Arcadian myth in urban America / Peter J. Schmitt ; foreword by John R. Stilgoe.

Publication:

Description:

xxv, 236 pages ; 22 cm

Notes:
Reprint. Originally published: New York : Oxford University Press, 1969. Originally published in series: Urban life in America series.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 223-227).

Summary:

Peter J. Schmitt describes the many ways in which America's urban middle class became involved with nature from the turn of the century to shortly after World War I, and he assesses the influence of the "Arcadian myth" on American culture. With sympathy and gently irony, he surveys the manifestations of the American love affair with the country: summer camps, the beginnings of wildlife protection and the conservation crusade, landscaped cemeteries, "Christian ornithology", and wilderness novels. The Arcadian drive reflected urban values, as the city-dweller sought virtue in nature. Landscape gardening, country clubs, national parks, and scenic turnoffs imposed the industrial ethic of order, neatness, and regularity on natural landscapes. Nature study and anthropomorphic animal stories taught moral values to children.

ISBN:

0801840139 (paperback)
9780801840135 (paperback)

Subject:

Human beings Effect of environment on United States History.
Landscape assessment United States History.
Nature in literature.
Homme Influence de l'environnement États-Unis Histoire.
Paysages Évaluation États-Unis Histoire.
Nature dans la littérature.
Civilization.
Human beings Effect of environment on.
Landscape assessment.
Terugkeer tot de natuur.
United States Civilization 1865-1918.
États-Unis Civilisation 1865-1918.
United States.

Form/genre:

History.

Added entries:

Stilgoe, John R., 1949-

Holdings:

Location: Library main 54883
Call No.: ID:90-B3448
Status: Available

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