Booklist Reviews
In 2008, for the first time in human history, more people live in cities than in the countryside. This packed, highly readable small title in the Groundwork Guide series does an excellent job of tracing urban history worldwide, raising the big social, political, and economic issues of poverty, migration, conservation, public health, crime, transportation, and much more, always rooted in specific examples of the problems and riches of city life. From Japan s amazing high-speed trains and the role of the family car in the growth of the suburbs in North America, to the one billion people worldwide who live in slums with no access to clean water, the widening gap between rich and poor is a constant theme, right up to the effects of today s mass migrations and the rising environmental movement. With a detailed time line and full chapter notes and bibliography, this is sure to make readers further explore where they live and why. Copyright 2008 Booklist Reviews.
Horn Book Guide Reviews
This book begins with the premise that, "if most of us live in cities, we need to understand how these complex places function." Lorinc draws fascinating parallels between ancient and contemporary cities, but he does not spend enough time discussing positive urban elements, such as arts and culture. As represented in the strongest chapter, "Urban Poverty," somberness defines this volume. Reading list, timeline. Ind. Copyright 2008 Horn Book Guide Reviews.