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Sto caricando le informazioni... The City: A Global Historydi Joel Kotkin
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Iscriviti per consentire a LibraryThing di scoprire se ti piacerà questo libro. Attualmente non vi sono conversazioni su questo libro. A history of cities a la "Very Short Introductions", though I think this Modern Library series might have actually started first. Kotkin also proposes a kind of theory of cities, but does nothing to really justify or prove it, other than some general gesturing; -1 for that from what would otherwise be a pretty perfect 160 page tour of world (and historical) cities. ( ) In this book, Kotkin explores the thousands of years of human history that build up to the supremacy of cities as the choice for living arrangements. This book is a compact outline of urban history. Kotkin's thesis is that cities succeed when they can balance needs for sacredness, security, and commerce. It's rare I wish a book were longer, however this book is such a skimming of the topic that I kept wanting more information throughout, but no, here's Rome! Now here's Berlin! They exist and here's an interesting tidbit. Now on to the next city! Less a history of the city in human history than a quick intro to the major cities of the world. Would like a more in-depth study. Very informative history of The City, from the first recorded city of Ur through the cities of each developing country on each continent, and spreading to America -- NY, Detroit, Chicago, etc. Ended with some notes on how cities can overpopulate, forget their purpose, bloat, and decline. The author also spoke of how each city, to be successful, needs the pillars of Safety, Sacredness, and Busy-ness. It was interesting to listen (and listen I did, on audio) to the narrator describe the spread eventual spread of the city and the way cities changed over time. Pretty good, but not about cities in the way you'd imagine. Instead of looking at the nitty gritty of cities, Kotkin instead takes a historical overview, looking at the macro factors that have caused cities to arise, led to their flourishing, and occasionally to their decline or fall. Think Civilization instead of SimCity. The only downside is that you don't really get as much critical examination of different theories of the city, and Kotkin's final few pages are pretty questionable. It's a very short book overall, but one of the Modern Library Chronicles (which are always laid out gorgeously). nessuna recensione | aggiungi una recensione
Appartiene alle Collane Editoriali
Acclaimed urbanist Kotkin examines the evolution of urban life over the millennia and, in doing so, attempts to answer the age-old question: What makes a city great? Despite their infinite variety, all cities essentially serve three purposes: spiritual, political, and economic. Kotkin follows the progression of the city from the early religious centers of Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, and China to the imperial centers of the Classical era, through the rise of the Islamic city and the European commercial capitals, ending with today's post-industrial suburban metropolis. Looking at cities in the 21st century, Kotkin discusses the effects of developments such as shifting demographics and emerging technologies. He also considers the effects of terrorism--how the religious and cultural struggles of the present pose the greatest challenge to the urban future.--From publisher description. Non sono state trovate descrizioni di biblioteche |
Discussioni correntiNessunoCopertine popolari
Google Books — Sto caricando le informazioni... GeneriSistema Decimale Melvil (DDC)307.7609Social sciences Social Sciences; Sociology and anthropology Communities Specific kinds of communities Urban communities Biography And HistoryClassificazione LCVotoMedia:
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