Like any great lady, Savannah constantly reinvents herself. In the 18th century she was a burgeoning port, full of life and commerce. In the 19th century she added spectacular architecture, an important role in the cotton trade and the Civil War, and a number of thriving cultural institutions to her repertoire. Savannah's laid-back attitude in the 20th century and her stunning built and natural environments became a backdrop for a winning way of life, unmatched anywhere else in America. It's no wonder that even dyspeptic writers like Bill Bryson call Savannah the "perfect" city.