"THE BATTLES SHE FOUGHT ARE STILL BEING FOUGHT": FIRST EDITION OF JANE JACOBS' DEATH AND LIFE OF GREAT AMERICAN CITIES

JACOBS, Jane. The Death and Life of Great American Cities. (New York): Random House, (1961). Thick octavo, original black half cloth, original dust jacket. $1200.

First edition of Jacobs' pioneering first book, the urban planning classic that "rocked the planning and architectural establishment" (New York Times), a splendid copy in the original dust jacket.

In 1961 Jane Jacobs, "the hugely influential writer and social critic… rocked the planning and architectural establishment" with The Death and Life of Great American Cities. Jacobs' groundbreaking analysis of urban planning "proposed radically new principles for rebuilding cities: 1. A street or district must serve several primary functions. 2. Blocks must be short. 3. Buildings must vary in age, condition and use. 4. Population must be dense… But most compelling was her description of the everyday life she witnessed from her New York City home… The battles she ignited are still being fought" (New York Times). This is Jacobs' first published work; in 1996 she won the Thomas Jefferson Medal in Architecture. "First Printing" on copyright page.

An excellent copy in fine condition.