The Inevitable City: The Resurgence of New Orleans and the Future of Urban America

by Scott Cowen, Betsy Seifter, Walter Isaacson (Foreword)

After seven years of service as the president of Tulane University, Scott Cowen watched the devastation of his beloved New Orleans at the hands of Hurricane Katrina. When federal, state, and city officials couldn't find their way to decisive action, Cowen, known for his gutsy leadership, quickly partnered with a coalition of civic, business, and nonprofit leaders looking to work around the old institutions to revitalize and transform New Orleans. This team led the charge to restore equilibrium and eventually to rebuild. For the past nine years, Cowen has continued this work, helping to bring the city of New Orleans back from the brink. The Inevitable City presents 10 principles that changed the game for this city, and, if adopted, can alter the curve for any business, endeavor, community—and perhaps even a nation.This is the story of the resurgence and reinvention of one of America's greatest cities. Ordinary citizens, empowered to actively rescue their own city after politicians and government officials failed them, have succeeded in rebuilding their world. Cowen was at the leading edge of those who articulated, shaped, and implemented a vision of transformative change that has yielded surprising social progress and economic a drowned city identified with the shocking images of devastation and breakdown has transformed itself into a mecca of growth, opportunity, and hope.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Cities, Architecture

257 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 10, 2014

Reviews

[Andy Grabia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Put it down after about 50 pages. Found it too self-serving and vain.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

From an urban planning perspective, there is value in Scott Cowen's description of all of the forces in play around the destruction and reconstruction of New Orleans; however, I found it difficult to get past the tone of superiority. The weird little italicized leadership pontifications felt self-congratulatory and tone deaf when juxtaposed with all of the suffering and challenges faced by those not living in a President's mansion or luxury hotel. The documentation of why things happened the way they did, and how decisions were made in response is useful for those who study such things, but this would not be enjoyable for most general audiences.

[Patricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I purchased and read this book because I was a part of the Tulane community during the Katrina experience, before and after. Scott Cowen's leadership was essential to all of us after Katrina and I was interested in reading his account of the experience. I am rating it completely based on how it met my expectations, and not on the basis of how it might be helpful to folks seriously researching recovery after disaster and issues common to American cities. Scott Cowen is in the role of the man on a mountain looking down at everything happening below and describing it. Those of us in the fray could not see everything he describes.

The leadership principles highlighted in the book are solid if predictable. Many of us knew why we were disappointed in all of our government leaders and what was lacking there. I found myself to be bogged down with all of the many organizations involved in the city. I could not help but think that had these many separate parts been able to join efforts, so much more could have been done. My disappointment in the book is merely that I had wanted a more diary-like account of these years. This is not that. So, if you are seriously researching how to organize for change in an urban area, this is a great book for you.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of this book through the First Reads program. The subject was of particular interest to me, as someone who loves New Orleans (born and raised there), and has many friends and family who were impacted by Hurricane Katrina. Due to his position as President of Tulane, Mr. Cowen has a rarefied perspective on the events before, during and after Katrina. Cowen's affection for New Orleans and its culture is clear and heartwarming. However, the structure of the book and the writing style tend towards that of an academic paper. In addition, the goal of the book is somewhat unclear - is it a guide for civic leaders in Detroit or Cleveland? A rehash of post-Katrina events? A love letter to an adopted city? A collection of essays on various leadership principles? That said, despite the above, I enjoyed the read and was glad to have an insightful account of the positive efforts going on in NOLA, and am grateful that people like Cowen held the proverbial reins during this incredibly formative time.

[Tiffany · Rating 1 out of 5]

I stopped a little more than halfway through the book--it was too self-serving and egotistical for me, plus I have a lot of other vastly more interesting books to read--don't have time to waste on an author who obviously thinks he and his institution are the be-all-and-end-all to solving all the problems in New Orleans and if only people would listen to him, urban areas could eradicate poverty and racism. And all this coming from a privileged white dude. I'll admit, I'm a privileged white girl, but I'm not writing a book about how to "cure" urban areas of their crappiness. Why? Well, I just have no authority or experience on the subject, so guess what? I keep my mouth shut. Maybe this guy should have as well.

[Josh Mings · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of having Scott Cowen as my university president while attending Tulane. What he did to help New Orleans come back after Katrina is nothing short of a miracle and I was glad to have a small part in it while attending Tulane post-Katrina. I greatly enjoyed reading it and reminiscing about all the places mentions where I used to hang out in New Orleans. This book is equal parts history, leadership, and love story, all about the inevitable city on the impossible site.

[wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book for a very narrow audience. The subject is the recovery of New Orleans after Katrina. Although there is some human interest stories here the book was written by the former President of Tulane University so it definitely has a administrative bent to it. So, I see the book as more beneficial to someone who cares about leadership from a governmental point of view. Essentially the author tries to figure out what worked and what didn't in New Orleans' post Katrina recovery.

[JT Hinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected something different from this book but completed it nonetheless. I expected more of an overarching history of Katrina and New Orleans’ resurgence afterwards. Instead it serves more as a personal look by former Tulane president Scott Cowen at the role of various actors in the city’s urban rescue, as well as a platform to provide leadership advice for times of reconstruction.

[Andie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a review copy of this book from the Library Thing Early Reviewers program.

Scott Cowen, the outgoing president of Tulane University in New Orleans played a critical role in not only getting his university back on line in record time, but also in the reorganization of the city's public school system, and in doing so became not only well known in New Orleans, but also nation-wide as a man who could get things done - if sometimes ruthlessly. Unfortunately, he decided to make his book about his post-Katrina experiences a slim volume and intersperse it with bromides on leadership straight out of Stephen Covey (Do the right thing! Find common ground! Aim high! Make contact!)

He also glosses over what would be a fascinating story about the conflicts among the varying interest groups in the city as well as talking about his own controversial decisions like reorganizing Tulane's School of Science and Engineering, eliminating a third of the school's doctoral programs and the letting go of tenured professors. He is honest enough to quote the infamous blog post, "Fuck you, you fucking fucks," but what had to be a huge battle is glossed over in a couple of paragraphs. Similarly the controversial decision to replace the old New Orleans public school system with 100% charter schools is also dealt with dispatch.

Ideas not his own are damned with faint praise, specifically Brad Pitt's "Make It Right" housing development in the Lower Ninth Ward. He does have the sense to ponder "where did all the people go" as he talks about the razing of the city's "Big Four" public housing projects that were replaced with mixed income developments and, thus, only re-housed 10% of the occupants of the former projects. Similarly, LSU's Biosciences District And Medical Center come in for more than their share of scorn.

What struck me overall as I read this book is how accurately HBO's series Treme portrayed the conflicts surrounding all the events described in this book. Maybe, until the real definitive book about New Orleans and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is written, the best thing you can do is to read this book & then re-watch the show at the same time.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book to inspire both the young and the more experienced members of our community to go and make a difference (I say "experienced" because I'm from the older generation:-). When I first took a look inside - I expected a story, relating the efforts of rebuilding the community of New Orleans. But what really surprised me as I read through the chapters - was this was more than a story. This is a book on leadership principles that are infused and strengthened by a core dedication to community values. Through my work as a Flight Controller in the Mission Operations Directorate (MOD)at NASA-JSC, I read a lot of books on leadership. I usually gleam a token here and there - and count my efforts worthy to read a few hundred pages to capture a token of wisdom In reading Cowen's personal narrative, it was easy to understand his guiding principles and apply them to real life. He took simple, instructive wisdom and addressed true challenges we face in our society - poverty, education, sustainability and the importance of maintaining our individual and unique cultures in working through these challenges. I was truly expecting a book that outlined a simple equation to ensure a successful community - for the rebuilding and strengthening of NOLA is an amazing success story. However, Cowen takes a step to go beyond defining a "how-to" approach. Instead, he sits you down and talks to you as if you were across the dinner table as a beloved family member, encouraging you to be true to your inner principles, to make hard decisions, and to take action to help your neighbor without expectation of repayment nor guarantee of accomplishment. I would strongly recommend this book to many of my friends, my co-workers, and to the leaders of our society.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read two nonfiction books concurrently and found the contrast in them fascinating. Reading the two books also gave me a huge appreciation for living in the United States. The two books were Behind the Beautiful Forevers, about a slum in Mumbai, and The Inevitable City: The Resurgence of New Orleans and the Future of Urban America.The first book has no hope. The second is not only full of hope, but hope fulfilled.
Despite what many think, the United States is one of, if not the least, corrupt countries in the world. In most of the developing world, corruption and bribery are the only ways to get anything you want, even if your desire is to pick up trash beside the road for recycling. You pay the police and the criminals for the right to be left alone. All sorts of international aid and charitable aid has been sent to India, and people get grants to open schools and training centers which never open.
But, in The Inevitable City, we see dozens of examples of how concerned people and both public and private aid has not only revitalized New Orleans, but made it a better city than before. It takes people who are more concerned with the betterment of society than they are with taking a bribe.
People like to think of New Orleans as a corrupt town, but hard work and dedicated people have taken the aid given them a created inner city vegetable gardens, job training, better schools, new housing, and hi-tech start-ups in a city that many said should just die.
The ideas used to restart New Orleans could be used to help any American city because we are a country where, for the most part, laws are followed. Could these same ideas work in a city like Mumbai? Not unless the culture of corruption ends.
I'm grateful to have won this book in a goodreads giveaway.

[Sandra Grauschopf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book as part of the Goodreads First Reads program, and I was thrilled to receive it. In the very short amount of time I spent in New Orleans, I came to absolutely love it, and I was very interested in this story of recovery after the horrors of Katrina.

First, the criticism: this is a slim book, only about 250 pages in length, but it tries to do a lot of things at once. It's at once a personal recounting of the fight to save New Orleans after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, a leadership manual, and a guidebook to fighting common inner-city problems like poverty, poor education opportunities, crime, and lack of opportunity.

Because of these lofty goals, the book sometimes seemed scattered and unfocused. Some chapters felt like a laundry list of new businesses in New Orleans or different types of food available in the city, taking quite a while to make a point.

I found myself aching to be able to edit or collaborate on the book, to cut and re-form it to really hit its points hard.

But now, the praise: I wanted so much to be able to make the book better (and maybe split it into three fascinating books, because Scott Cowen is just so interesting. This book is so full of hope, and hope that seems based on reality, not wishful thinking.

Furthermore, I found myself very inspired to find ways to help connect and build my own community. It's not often that you come across a book that leaves you itching to run out and participate in community service.

Overall, I highly recommend reading the book, which is interesting and thought-provoking. Young people would particularly benefit, I think.

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was selected to receive this book through Goodreads First Reads for review. I found this book to be very interesting.

We all know about the devastation that occurred in New Orleans, but other than everyone making loud noises in every direction I really didn't know much about what had happened since. Well, I know everyone blamed everyone and everything on this that and the other, but I have never really gotten a clear picture after the storm. That's exactly what this book covered, and I think the author did an excellent job of staying on topic and showing how things are happening, how people and groups are coming together to make things better. At least, the ones who stayed or who have returned. Seems there were many who chose not to come back or couldn't get the help necessary to get back. In any event, seeing that there are people working to get back their communities and trying to help each other was very nice.

The book shows that it hasn't been an easy road. Mr. Cowen doesn't sugarcoat anything, and he seems to be very honest about why some unpopular decisions had to be made, but also how groups were willing to stand together to fight for other things they thought were right. People looking out for people is a good thing and it's being done in New Orleans. A lesson we could all use perhaps.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received The Inevitable City as part of a Goodreads giveaway.

President of Tulane University Scott Cowen discusses his adopted hometown, its struggles, and its successes in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Subjects from education to crime to non-profit outreach to race relations are covered, leading to a larger discussion of the problems that many cities face today.

It's a broad, sweeping book, which has its benefits and drawbacks. It's a great generalist overview for someone who (like me) doesn't know much about the city and its cultural landscape, very readable and engaging. On the other hand, sometimes the focus is almost too wide, in that it seemed to a focus at all. I feel like he skimmed a lot of subjects but never got very deeply into any one. I also disagree with some of his stances on education and his assertion that cities are crumbling when, in fact, data shows the opposite is true.

Still, it's a very vivid portrait of one of America's most vibrant, unique cities, and I enjoyed Cowan's engaging narrative. He did a bang-up job covering the city's complexity for a book just over 200 pages.

[Sheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a review copy of The Inevitable City through the First Reads giveaway program. I entered the giveaway because I have a Master’s degree in Urban Affairs, worked in community development for a few years and even did flood recovery work. I thought it would be interesting to examine how to accomplish large-scale community development after a tragedy such as Hurricane Katrina.

Former Tulane University President, Scott Cowen, took an active leadership role in the redevelopment of New Orleans after the devastation. Cowen provided a rather candid account of his experience when NOLA was at a crossroads, either it was going for fail or come back as a thriving community. The book details how to weave the various elements of a community into a tapestry of a viable city, while providing kernels of wisdom about leadership in each chapter.

One question I am left with is that New Orleans was in chronic crisis like many American cities. The hurricane jarred the area into an acute crisis which served as an impetus to change its course. What will it take for other urban areas to change their trajectories?

[Skylar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. LOVED IT. I feel so inspired and hopeful after reading it! Problems are not insurmountable when there are creative, realistic leaders available. I was surprised by the candor of the book, both recognizing his own compromises and the failures of leaders who should have stepped up after Katrina. I think the author makes an important point: we always say "the perfect is the enemy of the good," but we don't realize this applies in everything. If you're going to accomplish anything, it will never be perfect. Some people will be let down or angry, and they have every right to be. But it's better to choose some progress than none. Every step of progress has hurt throughout history, and that hurt is often unevenly distributed. A good leader recognizes that, empathizes, but remains firm and committed to the bigger picture. They may not like you (though I suspect the author is probably well-liked), but they will respect you and know where you stand.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to read this book terribly and then I won it. First off,
as usual tragedy is always a way to test a government response. Tragedy of
any kind is always a test for any said government and responses are
always criticzed and there is no right or wrong and not everyone will
be happy. Scott Cowen loved Tulane and it was easy to feel his pain and want
to put things back together at the University. Red tape, challenges, money
you name it , it's in the book. I found it to be a very personal hard journey
of perserverance and grit. You can never give up and I found it a wonderful read.
I have never been to New Orleans and feel pain still to this day for what
happened to everyone. This story could take place in any major city in
America and I think Scott is kinda of a hero.Nohting is simple and easy but
it is a story worth reading for sure. I really found it inspirational. I loved
it plain and simple.

[Karen E. Garcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won a free copy of this book in a Goodreads contest. I personally do not know anything about New Orleans nor do I know anybody who if from there. I saw Hurricane Katrina on the news and felt bad for those who had to endure what was given to them. After a while everybody around me started talking about other things and moved on. Scott Cowen helped to rebuild New Orleans and made me realized that although the natural disaster was over, New Orleans was still in need of help. I am glad there are people out there who stuck by until the areas that were affected could run again. Although there are other cities who are also in need to be rebuild, waiting for a natural disaster is not the best way to start. Scott Cowen provides small passages within chapters of the book in how to be a leader. Encouraging people to help rebuild cities now and not wait until a disaster or something else force people to act. When people work together things can happen, and leave behind a place worth living in.

[Misty Farias · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really, really wanted to give this 5 stars, but just can't. The rebuilding/rebirth of NOLA is an issue close to my heart. The problem with this book is that it is so formulaic, it would work better as a powerpoint or a talk. It is also uses a lot of scholarly language, which is not surprising given the author but it makes it less accessible to some people. I am surprised since it appears he had a co-author that this was not a more readable work. There are some interesting snippets about programs in NOLA that have succeeded in restoring the city. Another thing I didn't like is instead of putting the leadership bullet point at the beginning of the chapter it is oddly inserted in weird type random places in each chapter.

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is written by Scott Cowen the president of Tulane University. Scott had a huge job after Katrina trying to save Tulane and restoring hope and growth back into New Orleans. The book is suppose to be about leadership and how to fix other communities, but I felt more like he was trying to defend the decisions he made more than anything else. I also feel like he wouldn't of had the opportunity to accomplish all that he did if it hadn't been in the wake of Katrina where someone was forced to stand up and take charge. That being said I feel he did a great job with the task he faced and a great job with the book. I found it very interesting and learned quite a bit about New Orleans, a place I have yet to get a chance to visit.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of the devastation of New Orleans and its struggle out of that devastation told by the president of Tulane University. Mixed in with the recounting of events relating to the recovery of NOLA were the leadership principles demonstrated in that chapter that Cowen felt were important. A great inside take, even if from the ivory tower perspective, on the recovery of NOLA, leaning heavily toward the positive but not afraid to show some of the negative as well. I would rate this book 3.5 stars if Goodreads allowed half stars. I received a free ARC of this book through Goodreads First Reads giveaways.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because I heard Scott Cowen, the author, speak at a conference organized by my employer. As a speaker, Cowen was incredibly knowledgeable and motivating. But I was a bit disappointed in his book. I found it to be a little too much of a light smorgasbord, and a bit elitist -- especially after reading the many stories about the people who have been left out of the recovery, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Cowen is a privileged white man, and thus sees both his role and the the "comeback" of New Orleans through a very rosy set of glasses.

[Lynsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who lived in New Orleans before, during, and after Hurricane Katrina, I witnessed much of the rebirth of NOLA. This book is a different take on the story: it is at once a memoir of events from both a personal and professional perspective, as well as a guide to leadership skills. It balances these rolls well and is never boring. A great look at the different levels of development needed in blighted inner cities that takes into account what worked and what didn't work.

[Dottie Resnick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a dual narrative, the revitalization of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and leadership principles employed to do it. These leadership principles can/will work to re-energize other cities, companies and our own individual lives. Every person, organization, city has it's own story, circumstances, opportunities. Using the principles we can incorporate our pasts and build new futures.

[Ricki · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I don't agree with all of Scott's views, I understand that he has had to make some tough decisions in order for Tulane and New Orleans to keep going. His passion for his adopted city is evident. He speaks highly of much of the community and the traditions that he's found himself in. And I am awed by his decision to add a community service component to the student curriculum, allowing students to give back to the city in which they live.

[Ricky Kilmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a reader copy of this book and found it fairly interesting. This book is a great example of a community facing adversity and pulling together. it's a detailed accounting of the events in a readable format.

[YYY]

Thank you First Reads for winning this free book. I will read and review soon.

[Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book

[Sheri Horton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great perspective of post Katrina New Orleans, well thought out and well written.

[Melissa Ooten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the parts on the social change orgs in the city but hated the "leadership biography" piece. Doesn't check his privilege nearly enough either.