SKU: 46050809413

City on a Hill: Urban Idealism in America from the Puritans to the Present

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City on a Hill: Urban Idealism in America from the Puritans to the PresentA sweeping history of American cities and towns, and the utopian aspirations that shaped them, by one of America's leading urban planners and scholars. The first European settlers saw America as a paradise regained. The continent seemed to offer a God given opportunity to start again and build the perfect community. Those messianic days are gone. But as Alex Krieger argues in City on a Hill, any attempt at deep understanding of how the country has

A sweeping history of American cities and towns, and the utopian aspirations that shaped them, by one of America's leading urban planners and scholars.

The first European settlers saw America as a paradise regained. The continent seemed to offer a God-given opportunity to start again and build the perfect community. Those messianic days are gone. But as Alex Krieger argues in City on a Hill, any attempt at deep understanding of how the country has developed must recognize the persistent and dramatic consequences of utopian dreaming. Even as ideals have changed, idealism itself has for better and worse shaped our world of bricks and mortar, macadam, parks, and farmland. As he traces this uniquely American story from the Pilgrims to the "smart city," Krieger delivers a striking new history of our built environment.

The Puritans were the first utopians, seeking a New Jerusalem in the New England villages that still stand as models of small-town life. In the Age of Revolution, Thomas Jefferson dreamed of citizen farmers tending plots laid out across the continent in a grid of enlightened rationality. As industrialization brought urbanization, reformers answered emerging slums with a zealous crusade of grand civic architecture and designed the vast urban parks vital to so many cities today. The twentieth century brought cycles of suburban dreaming and urban renewal--one generation's utopia forming the next one's nightmare--and experiments as diverse as Walt Disney's EPCOT, hippie communes, and Las Vegas.

Krieger's compelling and richly illustrated narrative reminds us, as we formulate new ideals today, that we chase our visions surrounded by the glories and failures of dreams gone by.



Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Belknap Press
Published: 10/29/2019
ISBN: 9780674987999
Pages: 464
Weight: 1.95lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 1.60d

Review Citations: Choice 04/01/2020
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SKU: 46050809413

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FORESTVILLE MOM
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 4
Nothing is indestructible
Color: D-Purple
Adorable. Looks just like the photo. My 15# JRT loves it! however the tail and one ear were gone in a matter of minutes. It’s his toy so I’m just monitoring his time with it as it’s his favorite 😍
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Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2026
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Alex
Whiting, US
★★★★★ 5
Our Pit Bull’s Favorite Toy!
Color: A-Navy, Color: A-Navy
We absolutely love this MAXBECK bear toy! We’ve ordered it 4 times over the last 8 months because our senior pit bull is obsessed with his “babies.” He always has one close to him and even cuddles with them. The material is very sturdy and holds up amazingly well even with rough play. My dog’s favorite part is the squeaker. What I love most is that even after he finally tears into it, the rope built inside becomes a whole second toy for him and keeps the fun going. If you have a heavy chewer who destroys toys quickly, this one is definitely worth trying!
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Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2026
M
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MEV
Houston, US
★★★★★ 3
Not indestructible
Color: C-Navy+Oak, Color: C-Navy+Oak
I assume it is probably hard to create an indestructible product, but my puppy had it apart in no time.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2026
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Nirpno
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 2
NOT DURABLE, LONG-LASTING, OR USEFUL
Color: A-Navy, Color: A-Navy
I gave this dog toy 2-stars based on my dog toy rating system (DTRS) for “Albert” the Blue Bear! Safety (1-rating): Albert fell apart after 4-hours of use. 1. The ears were chewed off and I was only able to find one of them, which means my dog swallowed the other ear. Very big concern as it depends on how big your dog is to pass this object. The ear is about the size of 1.5-quarters. 2. The tail was almost chewed off entirely and was hanging on by a thread before I threw it out. 3. After the ears came off, the inside foam started to come out, which raised my concern for my dog’s saftey. 4. The entire body was soft and did not cause any harm to teeth, gums, paws, nose, etc. Durability (3-rating): 1. The ears and tail are the weakest parts of Albert as they can easily be chewed off. 2. The body is durable enough to sustain 4-hours of use, as I threw Albert out after the ears and tail were torn off within 4-hours. 3. The small squeaker inside Albert’s belly was broken after 15-minutes of use. Thank Goodness! 4. My next concern was how long the arms and legs would last; TBD! Squeaker (1-rating): 1. Small plastic squeaker, the size of a half-dollar, with a high pitched noise. Fatality (2-rating): 1. Albert was put to rest after 4-hours of use as I was concerned for the safety of my dog with continued use. 2. If Albert didn’t come with ears or a tail, I can only imagine how long he would’ve survived as the material seemed to be durable enough to withstand continued use. In conclusion, “Albert” the Blue Bear is not worth the money for a toy that falls apart after 4-hrs of use and with the concerns of safety. I was surprised that it was only 8-inches tall, next time I’ll confirm the size of the toy before I purchase the next one. About my dog “Cannoli” for comparison: Breed: Blue Healer / Lab mix Weight: 40-lbs Energy Level: High Age: 7-months Chew Rating: Aggressive
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Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2025
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Verified Purchase
Steven D'Arcangelo
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 3
The dog won!
Color: A-Navy, Color: A-Navy
It’s not indestructible. Wonder if I can get a refund or another toy. It did last longer than most so I give them credit for that!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2026

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