Washington

Nothing less than a host of images can capture the spirit of Washington, D.C.—capital of the world's only remaining superpower, political center of an immensely diverse society, curator of the nation's vast intellectual and technological treasures, epitome of white-collar bureaucratic culture, and scene to both noble and tragic historical moments, from the Freedom March led by Martin Luther King, Jr., to the bombing of the Pentagon on 9/11. It takes a superbly illustrated and sensitive book such as this to embody the heart of a city that has meant many things to many different people. Through an elegant array of illustrations and a text that explores Washington's evolution as a place of political action as well as pilgrimage, this book is a must for all who want to visit or revisit this remarkable city.

The fascinating history behind the selection and founding of Washington as America's capital begins our tour of the city, which quickly moves on to discuss L'Enfant's plan to design a city that would accommodate the public. To perform this function, Washington was laid out on grandiose lines, with enormous parks and squares, magnificent national museums and imposing historical monuments. The Mall, Capitol Hill, the White House, and Georgetown are all featured here, together with the people and events that have given life to these places.