Phoenix: 21st Century City [Paperback]

Nan Ellin (Introduction), Edward Booth-Clibborn (Foreword)

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Nan Ellin is the director of the Ph.D. program at the College of Design at Arizona State University, the editor of Architecture of Fear, and the associate editor of the forthcoming Encyclopedia of Urban Studies.

Edward Booth-Clibborn has been a highly acclaimed arts publisher since 1974, based in London.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Booth-Clibborn (November 8, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1861542925
• ISBN-13: 978-1861542922
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,074,903 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Nan Ellin is Professor and Chair of the Planning Department at the University of Utah. She is the author of Postmodern Urbanism and Integral Urbanism, co-author of Phoenix: 21st Century City, and editor of Architecture of Fear.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not your typical Phoenix..., December 3, 2006

By 

catherine (saint louis, mo United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Phoenix: 21st Century City (Paperback)

I haven't yet read PHX. But based on how I've seen it marketed in the local media, it seems that part of the point of the book is to show readers an alternative to what most people think of when they picture Phoenix "art"; i.e., the point is to get AWAY from stunning cactus-covered landscapes and kokopelli kitsch.

In an East Valley Tribune (11/05/06) article, Chris Page writes, "The Maricopa Partnership for Arts and Culture, an arts advocacy group, says it's hoping the book will show the cooler side of the Valley's creative types--and in the process improve the perception of metropolitan Phoenix beyond its snowbird stereotypes."

Page also points out some initial criticism of the book, coming from those who were given advance copies. The biggest complaint he cites is the scarcity of context provided for the art and architecture that `PHX' portrays.

1 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Doubt Book Achieves its Purpose, November 10, 2006

By 

Loyd E. Eskildson "Pragmatist" (Phoenix, AZ.) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Phoenix: 21st Century City (Paperback)

"Phoenix: 21st Century City" is an effort to strengthen the region's image by "communicating the creative energy and vitality within the Greater Phoenix area." In reality it is an eclectic collection of various art works and clothing from the Phoenix area, interspersed with aerial photos (eg. parking lots, canal and road networks, a gravel pit, homes - some of which are interesting), and some interesting and weird photos of local architecture.

The bad news is that "Phoenix: 21st Century" misses most of the Phoenix area attractiveness - both man-made (eg. Frank Lloyd Wright designs, Sandra Day O'Connor Courthouse, Phoenix City Hall, Desert Botanical Gardens) and natural (Camelback Mountain, Papago Park).