Customer Reviews

Metropolis: Center and Symbol of Our Times (Main Trends of the Modern World)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

I would actually rate this a 4 star book, but I'm so disgusted by the reviewer who chose to give this a 1 star review simply because a non-amazon marketplace associate sold him a defective copy that I'm trying to cancel out his negative effects.

Anyway, this is a fairly comprehensive collection of notable texts concerning the onset of urban sociology (and the study of modernity by implicit inclusion). Some of the selections seem a bit incongruous, such as the inclusion of the Benjamin piece in Part 1, but Kasinitz is a pretty good editor, and the introductions he provides to each thematic part help keep the work as a whole from seeming arbitrary and disconnected.

If you're looking for an overarching theme, you'll probably be disappointed. Rather, each part (there are five) provides a snapshot of thought and theory of the evolution of urban sociology since its inception. So if you're looking for a profound modern argument or hypothesis on the state of the city in the 21st or even late 20th century, you'll be disappointed. If you're looking to get a broad grasp of the evolution of thought with regards to or an introduction to urban sociology, though, this is a very capable book, especially the firs two parts, which includes texts from important notables Lewis Mumford, Georg Simmel, Louis Wirth, Le Corbusier, and Jane Jacobs.

The book was a compilation of essays from numerous individuals. Some of the writings were clear and understandable. Others were wordy and unnecessary. If you enjoy urban studies and reading about it, this might be just what you are looking for.

I know i was buying a used book but i was not told over 50 pages will be torn out of the book. Very unprofessional and very deceitful. The book was missing chapter after chapter and i was not told ahead of time.!