Skip to main content
Urban History
Top Selected Products and Reviews
"Great Book"
- by
Paul Chapdelaine
(Somerset, Kentucky)
Having taken college class taught by both authors. They know they're stuff about Urban Studies. A well written book. A read for all studying Urban Studies.
"An excellent collection of documents and essays"
- by
metalheadtakesthesquare
This particular text was not only an excellent reference source with a wide variety of topical information but also was a joy to read. Many of the essays had a certain degree of flair and fresh perspective that made them more than plain history, commentary, or reflection. The documents at each sections end offered a good grounding in factual history for better context of the section theme. Having used this as the main text in one of my graduate courses, I can safely say that the layout and content served as a strong backbone for study in the field of urbanism and sparked a new passion in many of my fellow students.While I would have liked to have seen a little more in terms Chicago focus, I understand that the model for the metropolis is New York whether Chicagoans like it or not. I know that for years to come, ... full review
"It's " Central" to the Story"
- by
Barb from Andover
I was spurred to purchase this descriptive and pictorial history of Central Park after reading the much-enjoyed detective novels by Linda Fairstein. The book looks like it could be just another beautiful coffee table decoration but it is a fascinating read cover to cover. I guarantee you will devour it, especially if you read Death Angel by Ms Fairstein.
by
Jill Jonnes
"A great book for tree lovers and tree nerds"
- by
heyamishgirl
(Baltimore, MD United States)
A great book for tree lovers and tree nerds. Despite the title, the suburbs also get covered because it's really about the history of tree appreciation, cultivation, and preservation from foes (insect, microbial or human) in the U.S.
Now that I've read this, I have a much greater appreciation for the attributes of different species of trees. As with a lot of history, there is so much that you take for granted. One thing worth noting: Jonnes really captures the spirit of the time periods covered. For example, in the 19th century, you get a feel for the spirit of adventure as people traveled far to find unique species. You also get the can-do spirit that drove the large tree-planting campaigns of the early 20th century. And you get the blow-by-blow of the fight against the Dutch elm disease, the Asian long-horned beetle, and the latest Emerald Ash Borer.
Full-disclosure, I bought ... full review
Now that I've read this, I have a much greater appreciation for the attributes of different species of trees. As with a lot of history, there is so much that you take for granted. One thing worth noting: Jonnes really captures the spirit of the time periods covered. For example, in the 19th century, you get a feel for the spirit of adventure as people traveled far to find unique species. You also get the can-do spirit that drove the large tree-planting campaigns of the early 20th century. And you get the blow-by-blow of the fight against the Dutch elm disease, the Asian long-horned beetle, and the latest Emerald Ash Borer.
Full-disclosure, I bought ... full review
"A wonderful mapping of the grid--with its social stories tied to ..."
- by
Joan Nestle
(West Brunswick, VIC, AU)
A wonderful mapping of the grid--with its social stories tied to the facades and air shafts--for me, the discovery of unknown housing heroes and still the same old holders of power--the real estate interests. For my work on the history of one upper west side building it is my beginning point with a very good bibliography pointing my way to other primary sources.
"Engrossing and entertaining"
- by
EA
I'm an infrequent reader of non-fiction, but having completed this book on New Year's eve I can't think of any book I've enjoyed as much in 2015. While the central story is engrossing with many more historical surprises than I expected, the author's frequent digressions are equally interesting and entertaining. The few but carefully-chosen illustrations beautifully augment the text, and several of the photographs are astonishing - who would have believed that streets were literally bulldozed through hills leaving early homes sitting precariously on newly-formed precipices. Only in New York!
"Great reference material, slightly frustrating form factor."
- by
A Hoot
Contents: A well curated assemblage of art in public spaces over the past century or so. This is not a prose-heavy book, so don't expect to get a lot of context for the works or much if any art criticism. Design & Execution: The thematic structure is helpful when trying to re-find particular pieces and overall the flow is quite good. Print quality is excellent as always with Taschen. Unfortunately the size of the book does obscure some of the finer points (classic case on pg 192 covering "Reclaim The Streets, M41" protest) and has forced the use of a lot of full-bleed images which push attributions onto adjoining pages.
"SEMINAL BOOK ON URBANISM AND LAND PLANNING, ACCESSIBLE READING"
- by
Kathryn A. Smith
(Los Angeles)
Isenberg presents a new way of thinking about the growth of cities that does not turn to the well mined sources on New York. This book is original in its approach and thorough in its details standing up to academic scrutiny, yet writing in a style that makes sense to the generalist. Isenberg looks at post World War II American urbanism like an iceberg, she dove down deep to see the 3/4 of the developments that were hidden to others before her who only observed the iceberg above the water. The relevance of this book today is paramount. These same forces are still with us, for good or bad. But now, after Isenberg, we have a much clearer picture of what faces the life and death of American cities. We all love San Francisco, read this book, you will never see it the same way again.
by
Peter Hall
"Excellent history"
- by
David Banks
One of the single best books on the history of urban form and planning. I cite it all the time and chapters stand alone as perfect reading assignments for advanced undergraduates and graduates.
"Brilliant, Flawed, Fascinating."
- by
Stuart Aken
(Yorkshire, UK)
Joan Barbara Simon’s ‘Long Time Walk on Water’, is a phenomenon. There’s nothing ordinary, pedestrian, or conventional in this story of love, lust, prejudice, violence and parental brutality.
An adherent of secular, as opposed to faith-based, philosophy, I’m already biased against the cruel, arbitrary, and unjust interpretation of so-called sacred myths that spread brutality and inconsistent tradition as an intrinsic aspect of their hypocritical proselytising. So there are facets of this complex and undeniably brilliant piece of work that, for me, may work against the author’s intentions.
Nevertheless, the characters are exquisitely drawn and depicted free of authorial judgment. I heartily loathed some of them for their unthinking clinging to the ways of their ignorant parents, but others I found inspiring with their courage and forbearance.
The author is fair in her depiction of both genders, though I found most of the men to be quite justly given a negative slant I felt ... full review
An adherent of secular, as opposed to faith-based, philosophy, I’m already biased against the cruel, arbitrary, and unjust interpretation of so-called sacred myths that spread brutality and inconsistent tradition as an intrinsic aspect of their hypocritical proselytising. So there are facets of this complex and undeniably brilliant piece of work that, for me, may work against the author’s intentions.
Nevertheless, the characters are exquisitely drawn and depicted free of authorial judgment. I heartily loathed some of them for their unthinking clinging to the ways of their ignorant parents, but others I found inspiring with their courage and forbearance.
The author is fair in her depiction of both genders, though I found most of the men to be quite justly given a negative slant I felt ... full review
by
Spiro Kostof
"A lot of cool city maps, interesting how cities evolve over time"
- by
Paul Fields
(Washington, DC)
I really like this book, there are a lot of made up cities and towns in some of the games that I play and I find it fasciniating how historical cities and fantasy cities are designed. The author lays out some different design styles for cities and then shows some examples of historical cities that match these styles. A good reference for anyone designing fantasy maps, or just students of architecture or history.
"A history of Kyoto from 800-1600"
- by
Lisa Kochinski
Matthew Stavros traces the history of Kyoto through eight centuries of urban planning and design. He foregrounds Kyoto as the topic of the book, but far from writing a mere history of buildings, he describes the dynamic relationship between the people of Kyoto and the built environment of their city and its suburbs. Stavros acquaints the reader with the institutions of imperial ritual, the palaces of nobles, the bustling machiya of merchants, and the fortified compounds of warriors.
Stavros returns throughout the book to his main themes of monumentality and authority, public authority versus private power, and the relationship between space, place, and authority. These broad themes are balanced by details from primary sources such as diaries, which give personal accounts of demonstrations by armed warrior monks or first-hand descriptions of castle architecture.
The many maps and diagrams in this book are one of its great assets. They show how the ideal ... full review
Stavros returns throughout the book to his main themes of monumentality and authority, public authority versus private power, and the relationship between space, place, and authority. These broad themes are balanced by details from primary sources such as diaries, which give personal accounts of demonstrations by armed warrior monks or first-hand descriptions of castle architecture.
The many maps and diagrams in this book are one of its great assets. They show how the ideal ... full review
by
Brian Ladd
"Makes Me Want To Visit Berlin!"
- by
Z. William Arkosy
(California, USA)
I read The Ghosts of Berlin for a college course. When Americans say "this place has such a rich history," it brings a chuckle from me and is reinforced by books such as this.
The book focuses on the last 125 years or so of Berlin's extremely diverse and chaotic past. Ladd writes in a very detailed, yet concise manner. Berlin has had virtually every type of government known to man rule over it and an entire chapter is devoted to the most vital eras in the city's history; namely, the Imperial City from the late 19th century until the end of WWI, the Weimar republic in the '20s, Nazi Germany from 1933-1945, the divided city during the Cold War (with an entire separate chapter dedicated to the the Berlin Wall), and the capital of a reunified Germany. The focus is as much on the changing architectural styles as well as ... full review
The book focuses on the last 125 years or so of Berlin's extremely diverse and chaotic past. Ladd writes in a very detailed, yet concise manner. Berlin has had virtually every type of government known to man rule over it and an entire chapter is devoted to the most vital eras in the city's history; namely, the Imperial City from the late 19th century until the end of WWI, the Weimar republic in the '20s, Nazi Germany from 1933-1945, the divided city during the Cold War (with an entire separate chapter dedicated to the the Berlin Wall), and the capital of a reunified Germany. The focus is as much on the changing architectural styles as well as ... full review
by
John Antal
"As described"
- by
D.C.Fresch
Of course I love it. I wrote chapter thiteen in it."A tank skirmish in Hoi An" my view of part of the 1968 TET offensive. This is the 3rd or 4th I've bought. Friends keep walking off with borrowed copies that never return. D. C. Fresch
"pleasant, easy read"
- by
Stephen
(GLOUCESTER, Morocco)
I'm the type of person who gets excited to read at about a subject and then fills a shelf full of half read books. I have become very interested in Mass Transit and Urban Development as of late. I was worried that this book would end up getting a the short end of my attention span because of it's outwardly bland appearance. However, I read the book in three sittings, which is a record for me. Cudahy gives a fascinating account of horse drawn street cars, cable cars, electric trolleys, subways, buses and several other curiosities that don't usually get discussed. It is short, to the point, and interesting.
