Triumph of the City: How Our Greatest Invention Makes Us Richer, Smarter, Greener, Healthier, and Happier
Release date: 2011 / 352 pages
Synopsis (from the back cover): America is an urban nation. More than two-thirds of us live on the 3 percent of land that contains our cities. Yet cities get a bad rap: They’re dirty, poor, unhealthy, crime ridden, expensive, environmentally unfriendly… Or are they?
First Sentence: Two hundred forty-three million Americans crowd together in the 3 percent of the country that is urban.
Review: When this arrived on my doorstep, care of TLC Book Tours, I thought — what a strange choice, since I am in the process of leaving nearly two decades of urban or sub-urban life to embrace 35 areas in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains! I honestly did not remember requesting this book for review, but after further thought, I realized that this may be a great choice for me right now: One reason my husband and I chose this lot was largely due to its proximity to Denver and all of the cultural, culinary, and athletic delights it offers.
So, in many ways I was the perfect reader for this homage to everything urban. Triumph of the City is fascinating and surprising on many levels, as well as persuasive. Glaeser opens with this startling image:
Two hundred forty-three million Americans crowd together in the 3 percent of the country that is urban… On a planet with vast amounts of space (all humanity could fit in Texas — each of uswith a personal townhouse), we choose cities.
And then near end states:
The central theme of this book is that cities magnify humanity’s strengths. Our social species’ greatest talent is the ability to learn from each other, and we learn more deeply and thoroughly when we’re face-to-face… Cities are green. Living at high densities and walking is a lot more environmentally friendly than living in a low-density suburb and driving everywhere. America’s failure to have a sensible environmental policy that charges people for the environmental costs of their actions also creates a dangerous antiurban bias.
In between these passages, Glaeser explores why some cities consistently succeed, why some cities were once failing but have rebounded, and why some cities have failed, with little hope in sight. If I were allowed to simplify his underlying premise, high education and a willingness to adapt to new ideas are the savior of many city — and a failure to achieve either can extinguish even the most storied urban area.
I grew up in Michigan and spent much time in and around Detroit, going to Tigers games, visiting family, etc. and so I was particularly interested in why Glaeser cites Detroit as one of the most striking examples of a city that has been unable to adapt. Tied to an industry that required employees who did not need a higher education — coupled with an industry unwilling to adapt to the new automotive technology and ever-growing environmental responsibility, Glaeser’s thesis is evident every Thanksgiving when I drive by neighborhood after neighborhood of boarded up buildings on my way to the Lions stadium.
I remember the various attempts to revitilize Detroit in my childhood — the People Mover (considering that Detroit lost over a million people — 58 percent of its population, between 1950 and 2008, there were increasingly fewer and fewer people to move), the Renaissance Center, and other infrastructure projects. Glaeser points out that politicians who invest in buildings rather than people will not see the effects they intended.
I moved to Minneapolis right after college and was not surprised that Glaeser cites this city as one of the “success stories” of urban living. The Twin Cities are exceedingly diverse in industry and saturated with institutes of higher learning. Although I am ready to embrace a new home in Colorado, I have truly enjoyed my two decades in one of the Snow Belt’s shining urban stars. However, fortunately, my move will not increase my carbon footprint, since we are moving to a more moderate climate with no need for air conditioning or commuting since my husband and I will both work from home.
However, while The Triumph of the City was uniquely well-suited to my experiences, I believe others will enjoy this, too. I think this would spark great discussion, too. Cities = Green?! As surprising as that may initially seem, Glaeser persuasively supports his thesis and has provided much food for thought!
Interested in winning a free copy? Drop me a comment below and I will choose a lucky winner by the weekend!
I’ve never heard of this book before, but it sure does sound interesting and certain to bring an interesting conversation/discussion. I’d love to win a copy! Thanks!
Thi book sounds FASCINATING. As someone who moved from rural America to a city, it would be a fascinatng read. I’d actually love to bring it to my book club, because I think it would make for great discussion!
I’ve been wondering if a retirement home nearer a city would be a good thing. I’d love to read this and certainly hope to win it.
As with majority of Asians in the Far East, I grew up in a metropolis. It was only until I migrated to USA that I experienced living in a suburb. That didn’t last long as three years after, I moved to metro NYC and have stayed put since. While this book seems to be USA-centric, I’m very much interested to learn if there’s anything that can be applied to cities in the Asian-mold where green seems to take a backseat and real-estate space is sub-optimal, amongst many many differences.
Your review is the first I’ve heard of this book. I grew up in Manhattan and lived there until I married. Eventually, we took the move to “Jersey” and the suburbs, where we have lived since. The book sounds fascinating and might be a good choice for a couples book group I belong to since we have people from all areas in the group. Please consider me for the book. Thanks.
oh, I really want to read this, it sounds so interesting. the city vs rural debate is one I find quite fascinating.
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This would be a great nonfiction choice for book groups to discuss. Please count me into the drawing for a free copy. Sounds fascinating!
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This book sounds like it WAS the perfect fit for you – I’m so glad that you agreed to review it even if you didn’t remember requesting it. LOL
I’m not sure I’d ever want to live in a city but I’ll give the author a chance to convince me.
I am very interested in reading the author’s view about city living. It sounds like a book that will point out things we have not thought about before but should be able to appreciate.
I’m so glad to see interest in this work! As usual, I wish I had copies for you all!!
Sounds like a very interesting and educational book. I would enjoy reading it. Please enter me. Thanks!
I hadn’t heard of this book before but reading your review, it sounds really interesting. I’ve always thought of myself as a city girl even though I’ve only recently really become one. My boyfriend studied architecture in college, and we have had some interesting and insightful discussions about issues of urban planning and city life; I think this sounds like a great read to further those discussions. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
Your comment is so insightful, Jessica… How do we define ourselves? By our geographical location, or our “spirit”? And can our spirit change? Thank you for stopping by!!
Thanks.
I’ve always found myself drawn to the city even though I grew up in the suburbs. I don’t know what it is, if it’s the excitement or the culture or what, but I feel so much more at home now that I’m a city girl in reality. I’ve also had friends who grew up in the city and longed for big open fields and country, and always found it fascinating that people could feel so drawn to a lifestyle they haven’t experienced.