Group to Discuss Book on Frederick Law Olmsted

Bernardsville Library’s book group, Saturday Samplers, will meet on Saturday, February 3 at 10:30 am to discuss "Genius of Place: The Life of Frederick Law Olmsted" (2011) by Justin Martin. [The author will not be present.]

Frederick Law Olmsted is arguably the most important historical figure that the average American knows the least about. Best remembered for his landscape architecture, from New York's Central Park to Boston's Emerald Necklace to Stanford University's campus, Olmsted was also an influential journalist, early voice for the environment, and abolitionist credited with helping dissuade England from joining the South in the Civil War. This momentous career was shadowed by a tragic personal life, also fully portrayed in this book. Most of all, he was a social reformer. He didn't simply create places that were beautiful in the abstract. An awesome and timeless intent stands behind Olmsted's designs, allowing his work to survive to the present day. Justin Martin restores Olmsted to his rightful place in the pantheon of great Americans.

Justin Martin’s specialty is American history, meticulously researched, but delivered in an informal, narrative style. He is currently at work on "A Fierce Glory," to be published in September 2018, a group biography treatment of Antietam, the Civil War’s pivotal battle. Martin is a former staff writer at Fortune. His articles have appeared in various magazines such as Newsweek, Money, and Conde Nast Traveler, as well as in newspapers across the country. He is a 1987 graduate of Rice University in Houston, Texas, and now lives with his wife and twin sons in Forest Hills Gardens, a landmark New York City neighborhood designed by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr.

Saturday Samplers is a book discussion group dedicated to sampling various kinds of literature, including short stories, nonfiction, new and old novels, and teen fiction. Its goal is to search out interesting, noteworthy, and sometimes overlooked literary and narrative works. No sign-up is needed to join the discussion. Call the library at 766-0118 for more information.