Customer Reviews

The evolution of American urban society

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Of what I have read of Chudacoff's book has been informative and detailed. It is a information packed book that often times jumps from one point to another. Some times the facts and dates get in the way of the point he is trying to get across but it is relatively an easy read if you do not let that bother you. The pictures are great and really share a look at life was like across America in the early stages of its development.

Prof. Chudacoff and Smith's book is concise in its discussion of events and personalities. In this sense it is an ideal _textbook_--but even though it is in its fifth edition it could use some editing! There are problems with textual flow and art, and in useful conclusions: saloons provided an outlet for "the musical expression of the black soul." Or how about the oft-mentioned but never defined or measured "rugged individualism" of Americans?

Howard Chudacoff should be considered one of America's premier Urban Historians. Evolution of Urban Society provides an in-depth yet readable account of everyday life in Urban America. Organized by era, the concepts and problems of urban life are clearly presented.

There was more notes and excessive highlighting in this book than the ad led on to.