The City: A World History

by Andrew Lees

The A World History tells the story of the rise and development of urban centers from ancient times to the twenty-first century. It begins with the establishment of the first cities in the Near East in the fourth millennium BCE, and goes on to examine urban growth in the Indus River Valley in India, as well as Egypt and areas that bordered the Mediterranean Sea. Athens, Alexandria, and Rome stand out both politically and culturally. With the fall of the Roman Empire in the West, European cities entered into a long period of waning and deterioration. But elsewhere, great cities-among them, Constantinople, Baghdad, Chang'an, and Tenochtitl?n-thrived. In the late Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, urban growth resumed in Europe, giving rise to cities like Florence, Paris, and London. This urban growth also accelerated in parts of the world that came under European control, such as Philadelphia in the nascent United States. As the Industrial Revolution swept through in the nineteenth century, cities grew rapidly. Their expansion resulted in a slew of social problems and political disruptions, but it was accompanied by impressive measures designed to improve urban life. Meanwhile, colonial cities bore the imprint of European imperialism. Finally, the book turns to the years since 1914, guided by a few the impact of war and revolution; urban reconstruction after 1945; migration out of many cities in the United States into growing suburbs; and the explosive growth of "megacities" in the developing world.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

160 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 13, 2015

Reviews

[Nicola Poloni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Riepilogo interessante. Manca forse di brillantezza, ma d'altronde il formato è quello.

[Book Club of One · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book came to my attention by way of a Choice Reviews Online laudatory review. While brief, this book is an excellent introductory text to the five thousand years of the city as a human construct. Content covers the early cities in what is now Iraq, to the challenges of the modern megalopolis. The text also eschews the white man, Eurocentric worldview, devoting portions of the text to exploring African and Asian cities.

The chapters are brief, but very detailed. As any worthwhile academic introductory text should, the end of this book not only offers the expected notes, but has a multi-page recommended reading grouped according to geographic location.

[ilya murychev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a passable book. I especially didn’t see any insights. I would expect some kind of analysis or something. There may be comparative tables by country. Level of urbanization. What does it give?

Cities emerged and were able to grow thanks to the agricultural surplus produced in their immediate vicinity. But even in ancient times, some cities traded with very distant partners, and today the energy and material “metabolism” of large modern cities is based on global sources: trade in fuel, food, raw materials and finished products occurs throughout the world. In turn, cities pay for their growing dependence on energy and materials, providing first manufacturing services and now, more importantly, commercial, financial, management, educational and entertainment services that generate significant income, expanding reach and appeal to the regional, and even national, continental and global level. Cities also have a disproportionate influence on culture, commercial priorities, political development, the provision of an educated workforce, determine tastes and fashions, and foster innovation.

Довольно проходная книга. Особенно не увидел каких-то инсайтов. Я бы ожидал какого-то анализа что ли. Сравнительных таблиц может быть по странам. Уровень урбанизации. Что она дает.

Города появились и смогли расти благодаря сельскохозяйственным излишкам, производимым в непосредственной близости от них. Но еще в древние времена некоторые города вели торговлю с очень удаленными партнерами, а сегодня энергетический и материальный «метаболизм» крупных современных городов опирается на глобальные
источники: торговля топливом, продуктами питания, сырьем и готовыми продуктами происходит по всему миру. В свою очередь города платят за растущую зависимость от энергии и материалов, предоставляя сначала услуги производства, а теперь, что более важно, коммерческие, финансовые, управленческие, образовательные и развлекательные услуги, приносящие существенный доход, расширяя охват и привлекательность до регионального, и даже национального, континентального и мирового уровня. Города также обладают несоразмерным влиянием на культуру, коммерческие приоритеты, политическое развитие, обеспечение образованной рабочей силой определяют вкусы и моду и способствуют инновациям.

[Johann Lilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A swift jaunt through history by way of cities. There is a useful “further reading” section. I am more interested in the development of certain cities in India now.

[Fahed Al Kerdi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a summary of the history of the cities, starting from the dawn of the cities in the stone age and ending in the modern day. Short book, fun, and it can be rated as "Ok".

[Mills College Library]

307.7609 L4871 2015