The statesman and reformer James Oglethorpe was a significant figure in the philosophical and political landscape of eighteenth-century British America. His social contributions—all informed by Enlightenment ideals—included prison reform, the founding of the Georgia Colony on behalf of the "worthy poor," and stirring the founders of the abolitionist movement. He also developed the famous ward design for the city of Savannah, a design that became one of the most important planning innovations in American history. Multilayered and connecting the urban core to peripheral garden and farm lots, the Oglethorpe Plan was intended by its author to both exhibit and foster his utopian ideas of agrarian equality. In his new book, the professional planner Thomas D. Wilson reconsiders the Oglethorpe Plan, revealing that Oglethorpe was a more dynamic force in urban planning than has generally been supposed. In essence, claims Wilson, the Oglethorpe Plan offers a portrait of the Enlightenment, and embodies all of the major themes of that era, including science, humanism, and secularism. The vibrancy of the ideas behind its conception invites an exploration of the plan's enduring qualities. In addition to surveying historical context and intellectual origins, this book aims to rescue Oglethorpe’s work from its relegation to the status of a living museum in a revered historic district, and to demonstrate instead how modern-day town planners might employ its principles. Unique in its exclusive focus on the topic and written in a clear and readable style, The Oglethorpe Plan explores this design as a bridge between New Urbanism and other more naturally evolving and socially engaged modes of urban development.

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A modern classic of true crime, set in a most beguiling Southern city—now in a 30th anniversary edition with a new afterword by the author “Elegant and wicked . . . might be the first true-crime book that makes the reader want to book a bed and breakfast for an extended weekend at the scene of the crime.”—The New York Times Book Review Shots rang out in Savannah’s grandest mansion in the misty, early morning hours of May 2, 1981. Was it murder or self-defense? For nearly a decade, the shooting and its aftermath reverberated throughout this hauntingly beautiful city of moss-hung oaks and shaded squares. In this sharply observed, suspenseful, and witty narrative, John Berendt skillfully interweaves a hugely entertaining first-person account of life in this isolated remnant of the Old South with the unpredictable twists and turns of a landmark murder case. It is a spellbinding story peopled by a gallery of remarkable characters: the well-bred society ladies of the Married Woman’s Card Club; the turbulent young gigolo; the hapless recluse who owns a bottle of poison so powerful it could kill every man, woman, and child in Savannah; the aging and profane Southern belle who is the “soul of pampered self-absorption”; the uproariously funny drag queen; the acerbic and arrogant antiques dealer; the sweet-talking, piano-playing con artist; young people dancing the minuet at the black debutante ball; and Minerva, the voodoo priestess who works her magic in the graveyard at midnight. These and other Savannahians act as a Greek chorus, with Berendt revealing the alliances, hostilities, and intrigues that thrive in a town where everyone knows everyone else. Brilliantly conceived and masterfully written, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is a sublime and seductive reading experience.

The most comprehensive, authoritative and up-to-date guide to the city's architecture covering some 350 buildings, landscapes, monuments, squares and parks, enhanced by 175 photographs and 21 maps makes this title the essential resource for tourists, architects and residents alike.

This collection of essays grew out of a symposium commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of Georgia. The contributors are authorities in their respective fields and their efforts represent not only the fruits of long careers but also the observations and insights of some of the most promising young scholars. Forty Years of Diversity sheds new light on the social, political, religious, and ethnic diversity of colonial Georgia.

The birth year (1688) for James Oglethorpe is found on page 2 of this book. The Library of Congress has his birth year as 1696.

Learn more about James Oglethorpe and his contributions to Georgia history with this high-interest reader that connects to Georgia state studies standards. James Oglethorpe: Not For Self, but For Others promotes social studies content literacy with appropriately-leveled text and keeps students engaged with full-color illustrations and dynamic primary source documents. This biography connects to Georgia Standards of Excellence, WIDA, and NCSS/C3 framework.

Taking an architectural walking tour of Savannah is a great way to learn about the buildings and history of the city. This book, composed of three self-guided walking tours, takes you on a journey through Savannahs past and introduces you to the citys magnificent, historic architecture. Whether you have all day to spend on each tour or only an hour to quickly walk one route, these paths allow you to focus your sightseeing. If you cannot make it to Savannah in person, the 131 beautiful color photos give you a deeper understanding and appreciation of the city and its architecture.\nMeet the major architects who gave this city its distinctive look, including William Jay, John Norris, and William Preston, who were drawn to Savannah in its most prosperous eras to translate the popular styles of the time into Savannahs urban language. There is no better introduction to the welcoming city of Savannah, Georgia.