In each case Rudofsky brings to his subject a singular blend of erudition, wit, and insight that makes the exotic seem logical and the commonplace bizarre.In his extensive travels over the better part of a century, the author has found universal evidence of man’s irrepressible impulse to reveal, through what he builds, his multifaceted nature – and of modern society’s equally compulsive tendency to subvert it.Rudofsky’s cogent arguments are amply documented with over 100 of his unparalleled photographs, in addition to many more rare engravings and other illustrations. The total effect is to expand far beyond dictionary definitions our concepts of both architecture and the human spirit.

    Katz Professor of History, York UniversityThis is a sensitive and compassionate portrayal of childhood, marriage, and adult life among the hard-working not-quite poor. It is an important contribution to our understanding of ourselves.--Robert S. Weiss, author of Marital Separation

    The papers are divided into three sections that examine Chinese cities in the context of history, spacial structure, and urban social structure. This digital edition was derived from ACLS Humanities E-Book's (http: //www.humanitiesebook.org) online version of the same title.

    Exploring the "morphogenesis" of the city in Western civilization, this new edition contains updated material, a new introduction, and additional illustrations.