Description
Book SynopsisFrom gated communities to Heaven's Gate, the idea and practice of community in America has not only declined but mutated. This text examines the counterfeit community in America from a number of perspectives revealing that building a genuine community means no quick fixes.
Trade ReviewCounterfeit Community crackles with life as well as a certain healthy skepticism. The examples are down to earth, the range of topics John Freie pursues is delightful, and his probing observations are such a strength. Of course this is a controversial book, in its definition of what community should be and should not be and in terms of how the examples are read by the author. That is all to the good; it gets one thinking and sometimes even gets the blood moving. A sassy and valuable contribution to the whole community debate. -- Robert Booth Fowler, University of Wisconsin, Madison
In each of his six analyses, Freie develops a strong argument for how to strengthen genuine community. -- Gordana Rabrenovic, Northeastern University * Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Sciences *
Freie's treatment of space from the perspective of ethics adds to an extensive literature in architecture, city planning, and postmodernism and is most welcome. -- Christine E. Gudorf * The Review of Politics *
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Identifying the Counterfeit Chapter 2 Genuine Community Chapter 3 Housing Chapter 4 Public Spaces Chapter 5 The Workplace Chapter 6 Political Community Chapter 7 Religion Chapter 8 Cyberspace Chapter 9 Popular Solutions Chapter 10 Pathways to Genuine Community
