SOURCE: The Great Books Foundation
Great Books Foundation Publishes Centennial Edition of the Plan of Chicago
Commemorates the 100-Year Anniversary of the Original Publication of the Plan; Offers Most Affordable Edition in Print With Highest Quality Illustrations Available
CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - June 30, 2009) - The Great Books Foundation, an independent nonprofit educational organization that empowers readers to become more reflective and responsible thinkers, today announced the release of the "Plan of Chicago: Centennial Edition." Published by the Foundation in collaboration with the Burnham Plan Centennial Committee and the Chicago History Museum, this new edition commemorates the 100-year anniversary of the original publication of the "Plan of Chicago" by architects Daniel H. Burnham and Edward H. Bennett.
The original "Plan of Chicago" was published in 1909 by the Commercial Club of Chicago. This 100-year plan for Chicago is regarded as one of the most influential documents in the history of urban planning and helped transform Chicago into the world-class city it is today. Among the "Plan's" most enduring legacies are Chicago's expansive and open public lakefront, the city's parks and forest preserves, the Michigan Avenue Bridge, and two-level Wacker Drive.
"The Great Books Foundation reprinted the 'Plan' because of our passion for inspiring others to read great literature and to talk about it," said George Schueppert, president of the Great Books Foundation. "Through this publication, we achieved our goal of providing a superior facsimile reprint of the original that is affordable to all. By making this powerful urban planning document accessible, we hope to engage people in the fascinating story and vision of Burnham and Bennett. Perhaps we, too, can dream big and plan boldly for our cities and build the best possible quality of life for all."
The 275-page centennial edition of the "Plan" features an informative introduction by Carl Smith, professor at Northwestern University and author of "The Plan of Chicago: Daniel Burnham and the Remaking of the American City." The edition also includes superior graphics with better colors and picture quality than previously available.
Two versions of the "Plan of Chicago: Centennial Edition" are available for purchase. The paperback, priced at $39.95, is the most affordable edition in print. A special hardcover collector's edition is also available for $125. Both editions can be purchased online at www.greatbooks.org/planofchicago or by phone at 800-222-5870. Additional outlets selling the "Plan of Chicago: Centennial Edition" include the Chicago History Museum, the Chicago Architecture Foundation, the Book Cellar, Powell's Bookstore, and Printers Row Fine and Rare Books.
About the Great Books Foundation
Headquartered in Chicago, the Great Books Foundation (www.greatbooks.org) is an independent nonprofit educational organization established in 1947 to promote liberal education for the general public. In 1962, the Foundation extended its mission to children with the introduction of Junior Great Books®. Today, the Foundation conducts professional development courses for thousands of educators each year, publishes books for readers of all ages, and helps readers establish their own discussion groups in schools, libraries, and community centers.
The Great Books Foundation is proud to be one of 250 Burnham Plan Centennial partner institutions offering hundreds of ways for the people of Chicago's three-state metropolitan region to dream big and plan boldly. This 100th anniversary of the Plan of Chicago is once again stirring a diverse community to action on a grand scale -- building the best possible quality of life for all. For more information about the Centennial visit www.burnhamplan100.org.