Thirty years after its publication, The Death and Life of Great American Cities was described by The New York Times as "perhaps the most influential single work in the history of town planning....[It] can also be seen in a much larger context. It is first of all a work of literature; the descriptions of street life as a kind of ballet and the bitingly satiric account of traditional planning theory can still be read for pleasure even by those who long ago absorbed and appropriated the book's arguments." Jane Jacobs, an editor and writer on architecture in New York City in the early sixties, argued that urban diversity and vitality were being destroyed by powerful architects and city planners. Rigorous, sane, and delightfully epigrammatic, Jacobs's small masterpiece is a blueprint for the humanistic management of cities. It is sensible, knowledgeable, readable, indispensable. The author has written a new foreword for this Modern Library edition.
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"this is an amazing book. it is especially great is you either live in NY or have an interest in NY. written 40 years ago, Jane Jacobs' thoughts are still just as applicable today as they were when she published them. it is at times a heavy read, but very informative and worth the effort." — antonia (4 out of 5 stars)
"this is an amazing book. it is especially great is you either live in NY or have an interest in NY. written 40 years ago, Jane Jacobs' thoughts are still just as applicable today as they were when she published them. it is at times a heavy read, but very informative and worth the effort."
“Jacobs’ once-revolutionary work about urban planning has become a classic…Donna Rawlins’s rich alto carries Jacobs’ detailed analysis magnificently. Rawlins understands she’s reading an important book. Occasionally, her voice expresses delight at one of Jacobs’ succinct, powerful observations. Rawlins’ presentation is always clear and consistent. Many important urban planning texts do not lend themselves to audio, but this wonderful book is an exception. Even those who have read it many times before will find it still worth a listen. Those new to the work will find listening a revelation.”
“One of the most remarkable books ever written about the city…The research apparatus is not pretentious—it is the eye and the heart—but it has given us a magnificent study of what gives life and spirit to the city.”
“Refreshing, provocative, stimulating, and exciting… It fairly crackles with bright honesty and common sense.”
The most refreshing, provacative, stimulating and exciting study of this [great problem] which I have seen. It fairly crackles with bright honesty and common sense.
" Still working on it. Currently not so stoked on her generalist negative view of parks, but understand the dilemma! "
" It brought New York city to life. "
" outside intellectual + citizen activist + urban planning + influence = must read. May be a bit dated, but she has insights that I guarantee you, some of which, you have never thought of (like the importance of trucks for cities.) "
" The seminal book on good urban planning. "
" I was inspired to read this book after watching the PBS special on New York and learning about the good and the bad of Robert Moses. "
" Every self-respecting urban planning geek must read this. "
" Send a copy of this book to your mayor. "
" An easy, and incredibly interesting read. "
" This was a good book that everyone who has an opinion on how cities should be developed should read before they form their opinion. "
" Jane Jacobs insights opposing the zeitgeist of city building we remarkable and remain so to this day. Only today her concepts of sidewalks and streetlife as central to a community are seen as commonplace. The book is neat, but dry like the textbook it is. "
" no book has ever had a more profound effect on my thought processes or life direction. "
" Read this for a class during a few weeks study on Robert Moses, and this book completed the conversation really well. Interesting read. "
" This will probably be on my currently reading shelf forever...I think it's important, but only in about 10 page increments. "
" Mayor Rawlings-Blake, could you please read this book? Your vision to improve Baltimore could not be more profoundly wrong. "
" Honestly couldn't get around to finishing it. I liked what I read, but couldn't see myself slogging through the nearly 500 pages of urban planning wonkery, as much as I would have liked to do so. It just didn't grip me enough to move me along. "
" Lots of solid ideas in a really wordy and redundant style. Still, I think I'll be re-reading. "
" i'm re-reading this classic and love the chapters on sidewalks and parks! "
" I agree with most of what she's saying; but reading this so many years later, it all sounds like conventional wisdom. Also, way too NYC-focused. There are other cities on the planet, I think. "
" One of the few nonfiction books I'll read over and over- Jacob's insights into urbanism are so ahead of her time and applicable today and into the future. Everyone should read this book! "
" This book is a classic work in urban sociology. Jacobs identified many of the things that created our cities of fear, isolation, and challenge. If you care about the places where many live, this is a great book to enjoy. "
" Read for class, wasn't nearly as bad as I expected it to be. It was very insightful and got me thinking about things I never really considered or paid attention to before. "
" This book changed how I think about cities, and the people living in them. I consider it a required read, for any city dweller, and for anyone planning to make a home somewhere, for the long-term. "
" I wonder what Jane Jacobs would think of the efficacy of "eyes on the streets" in present-day Central City New Orleans. "
" You will never look at sidewalks again. A game changer on urban planning, and how city designs can suffocate or foster communities. "
" I love this book, both for its insights about cities in general and for its applicability to my own urban life in Ann Arbor. "
" The guiding light for my views on why cities are magic. Everything in the book isn't perfect, but if you're looking to learn about urbanism, this is absolutely where you start. "
Jane Jacobs (1916–2006) was a writer and activist who championed new approaches to urban planning for more than forty years. Her 1961 treatise The Death and Life of Great American Cities became perhaps the most influential American text about the inner workings and failings of cities, inspiring generations of urban planners and activists. Her efforts to stop the building of downtown expressways and protect local neighborhoods invigorated community-based urban activism and helped end Parks Commissioner Robert Moses’ reign of power in New York City.
Jane Jacobs is a voice-over artist who can be heard in dozens of animated films, audiobooks, commercials, and promotional materials.
Donna Rawlins is an accomplished and successful songwriter, vocalist, and female voice-over artist. She has read a wide range of audiobooks—from Jane Heller’s Female Intelligence to novels by Suzanne Brockmann, Tami Hoag, and Dana Reinhardt. Her voice-over work can also be heard on numerous educational programs, commercials, documentaries, PSAs, and featured voice parts in various films such as Citizen Ruth.
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