Shaping the City: New York and the Municipal Art Society.(Brief Article)

Gregory F. Gilmartin. Clarkson Potter, $35 (576p) ISBN 0-517-58574-X

This is the involving story of a century of skirmishes between a dedicated group of New Yorkers committed to creating and preserving a beautiful, livable city and powerful real estate interests and indifferent or corrupt politicians. Founded in 1893 by architects and artists, the Municipal Art Society grew to include many of the city's elite, who joined in its battles. Among its notable recent victories were its campaigns to save and restore Grand Central Station; to oblige Donald Trump to modify his plans for skyscraping the Hudson River front and Mort Zuckerman to alter his …