Breaking Away: The Future of Cities : Essays in Memory of Robert F. Wagner, Jr. (Twentieth Century Fund Book) [Hardcover]

Robert F. Wagner (Editor), Julia Vitullo-Martin (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1996 | Series: Twentieth Century Fund Book

This unique collection of essays honors the memory of Robert F. Wagner, Jr., who served New York City in many capacities, including president of the Board of Education, deputy mayor, and chairman of the Planning Commission. Experts in the area of urban policy who knew Wagner discuss the most daunting issues facing cities today: fiscal crisis, poverty, racial tension, education, health and welfare, crime, public housing, transportation, public space. The contributors, in addition to the editor, include Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna E. Shalala, Peter C. Goldmark, Jr., Diane Ravitch, Joseph A. Fernandez, Paul Goldberger, Stanley Brezenoff, Ester R. Fuchs, Nathan Leventhal, Dick Netzer, Roger Cohen, William J. Dean, Robert R. Kiley, Christopher Stone, and J. Phillip Thompson.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 255 pages
• Publisher: Twentieth Century Fund (January 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0870783793
• ISBN-13: 978-0870783791
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,724,728 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars beautiful cover, August 21, 2008

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W Boudville (Terra, Sol 3) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Breaking Away: The Future of Cities : Essays in Memory of Robert F. Wagner, Jr. (Twentieth Century Fund Book) (Hardcover)

The dustjacket has a lovely combination of two city scenes. Very colourful, and it is a pity that Amazon's product page lacks this image.

Perhaps the cover acts as an optimistic setting for the book. The contributors talk about the future of American cities. Looking at cultural, demographic and economic trends that might or could impact how the future will turn out. There are warnings about how it is quite possible, if not probable, for a city administration to muck things up. Minimal taxes and regulations on businesses are advocated, to encourage a vital economy. But the problems of disadvantaged underclasses is not ignored. Suggestions are made for greater inclusion of everyone in a future prosperity.