Review by Choice Review
Ward and Zunz have assembled an interesting and insightful set of essays on the history of New York City. Although the use of the concept of "modernity" seems a bit pretentious given the content and focus of these essays, they nevertheless offer a good survey of some of the pivotal phases in New York City's 20th-century development. The essays on planning are a good summary of the issues and actors for those who are new to the topic. The contributions presented in Part 5, "Fighting for Identity," are informative, but there is no clear indication of what this "fight" was all about or whether it was won or lost. The collection promises much more than it delivers and that is very unfortunate because the scholarship of individual contributors is first rate. Still, for those who would like an introduction to the first four decades of New York City's physical, cultural, and social development, the volume is strongly recommended. General; undergraduate; graduate; faculty. J. R. Hudson; Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
