WORKING WITH AN EXCEPTIONALLY talented and collegial team of people is as great a pleasure and privilege as can be. Having the chance to do it a second time was beyond my dreams, but that’s exactly what’s happened with City Squares. Our core group came together for my first book, City Parks; they’re also involved in this one. The generosity of spirit with which they all work is exceptional. My deep and affectionate gratitude to them all.
Jonathan Burnham, publisher of Harper, is also my editor. His insights are profound; his guidance, invaluable.
Mary Shanahan, the book’s art director, has an original and creative eye. She approaches each project with a fresh perspective, highly attuned to its particular intent and meaning: I think this shines through.
Maya Ziv, a senior editor at Harper, works with flair, innate talent, and knowledge of the written word. We’ve pored over many texts together, so I know her work well.
Oberto Gili photographed the squares in London, Paris, and Rome. The unique, timeless quality of his photos jumps off the page.
Lynn Nesbit was first my friend, then my agent. She is legendary for her fairness to all and great care and consideration for her writers. I completely understand why.
Michael Steger of Janklow & Nesbit oversaw the complicated task of bringing all the writers together under one roof. He has an erudite mind, so I often went to him for a fresh viewpoint and ideas.
MANY PEOPLE ENHANCE A BOOK. The encouragement and enthusiasm of friends has done that. As has the inimitable Bob Silvers, whose motto, “Go for the very best,” has stayed with me from our first lunch. Thank you, Bob. Special thanks to Bonnie Tsui. Also to Richard Plepler. They both helped in significant ways as I was getting this book off the ground. Special thanks also to Lucy Albanese and Hannah Wood of Harper. I appreciate the help of Stephen Doyle, Adam Flatto, Paul Holdengraber, Sumit Joshi, Shirley Lord, Roxana Marcoci, and Ivan Shaw.
Thank you to six insightful and determined photo researchers: Emily Bauman, Samantha Cassidy, Toby Greenberg, Frannie Ruch, and James Wellford. Special recognition to Tasha Lutek. You’ve all made a marked difference.
Thank you to the illustrious photographers who allowed us to include their work. All photographs are credited on the individual photos.
And, of course, my appreciation to the brilliant and distinguished group of writers. They signed on with enthusiasm and gave their best, I do believe. An unexpected pleasure has been developing friendships with several through our work.
Like all efforts of my professional life, this wouldn’t and couldn’t have happened without the love and support of my family. I dedicate this book to them—my husband, Don, who is also a dream reader; and our children, William and Serena. They mean the world to me.
I wish I could enjoy a meal with each of you in the public square in Van Gogh’s Arles!
VINCENT VAN GOGH, Café-Terrace at Night, 1888. Photo by Erich Lessing/Art Resource