The City: 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 Tenochtitlán-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 themes: 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.
#558378 in Books Andrew Lees 2015-10-07 2015-10-07Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 6.10 x .40 x 9.10l; .62 #File Name: 019985954X160 pagesThe City A World History New Oxford World History
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy mindella1Thanks.1 of 3 people found the following review helpful. SOOOOOOOOOOOO BORING! My teacher had us order these for our ...By KylieSOOOOOOOOOOOO BORING! My teacher had us order these for our world civilization class before he read it. He actually had us stop reading it because it was so boring that we didn't learn anything. I'm a note taker too; didn't learn a lick from this book. It's way to dry. I don't suggest it unless all you want is statistics!4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. The founding and transformation of cities in historyBy CustomerThe City: A World History by Andrew Lees is a highly perceptive; concise analysis of a huge subject. Lees examines the foundation; growth; and transformation of cities all over the world from very ancient times up to the present. He shows how architecture; public squares; and streets in cities everywhere were shaped by demographic; economic; political; and cultural changes; and how these developments were at times quite local but at other times the result of movements such as the establishment of new nation-states; colonialism; and industrialization. In the 20th century; many cities around the world were badly damaged in wars and then reconstructed; with differing measures to modernize or to restore historic character. The book includes some nice illustrations; a list of useful websites; and an excellent list of other urban histories that would be worth reading. This book should be assigned for reading in university-level classes on world history or urban history; but both historians and individuals interested in urban history should enjoy reading it.
