When the cathedrals were white. Travel to the edge of indecisive people

In 1935, Le Corbusier first visited the United States at the invitation of the Museum of Contemporary Art in New York. A peculiar report on this trip formed the basis of this book, first published in French in 1937 and translated into English after the war, in 1946. The great innovator could not help but admire the skyscrapers of New York and the stormy industrial development of America in the 20th century. Lifts, Drives, SubWays, vertical and horizontal Manhattan are caused by his burning interest. Le Corbusier is inspired by the rhythm of New York, his new music (Hot Jazz Armstrong) and new sociality. In his poetic report, he first formulates the idea of ​​a vertical city, which a century later will develop another architect in love with a large apple - Rem Colhas. America resembles Le Corbusier the era of the formation of Europe, the time when technological and social progress was inseparable when the cathedrals were white and the most advanced buildings of its time. His only reproach of the "nation of athletes" is that the Americans are indecisive people who do not keep up with their aspirations for technological jumps, because skyscrapers could be higher