A deep and scholarly study, Sara Stevens's book identifies the real estate developer as the central protagonist responsible for shaping modern American cities. Sharply focused on the stories of three major developers, the book presents an oft-maligned actor whose ability to maneuver between capital, design, and policy deserves to be recognized as a significant force of urban transformation. -Metropolis ... Read moreMetropolis Sara Stevens' original approach fills a big gap in our interdisciplinary understanding of the history of the city and its morphology. -Alice T. Friedman, Wellesley College
Alice T. Friedman The history of city building and architecture involves much more than the designs of great architects. Real estate developers are necessary and vital elements in the story, and Stevens superbly examines their role in the fashioning of the modern metropolis. -Jon C. Teaford, Purdue University
Jon C. Teaford The ambitious figures that populate this fascinating study developed a powerful expertise that ranged from financing to politics to desire, enabling them to utterly reshape America's urban and suburban landscapes. -Sarah Whiting, Dean of the Rice School of Architecture
Sarah Whiting Stevens's book is well documented and original: it is recommended reading for historians, architectural historians and architects, above all, but it would be a shame for those working in real estate not to keep the book close at hand. -Francesco Dal Co, Casabella
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