Review by Choice Review
China is a quickly urbanizing country. The consequences of urbanization, however, are much more profound than the urbanization rate reveals. For those unfamiliar with the social aspects of an urbanizing China, there cannot be a better departure point than the new book by sociologist Ren (Michigan State Univ.). Intended as an introductory text, this book covers five aspects of urban China: governance, landscape, migration, inequality, and the cultural economy. Readers can quickly gain insight into the social, economic, and political life of urban China, the historical trajectory of urbanization, and what a quickly urbanizing China means for the authoritarian political system. Though written in a friendly fashion, the book also will be useful for veteran researchers, as the author is clearly at home with the latest research. For example, Ren's discussion of the enormous economic cost of investment-driven urban renewal and her warning of the social cost of massive human displacement are convincing and thought provoking. This succinct yet comprehensive book is a winner. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. J. Li Columbia University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
