Description
Book SynopsisCities shape the lives and outlooks of billions of people, yet they have been overshadowed in contemporary political thought by nation-states, identity groups, and concepts like justice and freedom. This book explains why philosophy and the social sciences need to rediscover the spirit of cities.
Trade Review"The affinity and intimacy recalled here inevitably evoke memories of and comparisons to one's own city experiences. The scholarly knowledge is often enlightening and instills the urge to go deeper into many of the urban histories that the authors place in front of the reader... After reading their city portraits, one is inclined to 'stroll' through one's own city with newly opened eyes, ready for surprises and the unraveling of hidden historic layers."--Florian Kossak, Times Higher Education "For this city lover their book was a passionate, profound and inspiring journey to the heart of the contemporary urban experience."--City-Lit Cafe "The call 'city-zens of the world unite' symbolizes the enduring importance of and unique characteristics associated with cities able and willing to withstand the pressures of globalization. Rather than suggesting the rise of uniformity fostered by globalization across cities, Bell and de-Shalit offer a series of fascinating and convincing case studies that counter this view... Personally familiar with Jerusalem, Montreal, Singapore, Hong Kong, Beijing, Oxford, Berlin, Paris, and New York, in their findings the authors describe unique ethes ranging from religious conviction in the case of Jerusalem to ambition in the case of New York."--Choice "This highly readable book ... is academically informed but will not strike the general reader as academic."--Sunder Katwala, British Future "The Spirit of Cities is a strange book, in a good way... [F]ascinating and informative... Bell and de-Shalit have created an admirable study that offers insight into all cities."--Stephan Delbos, Prague Post "Bell and de-Shalit put forth a provocative thesis, and they present it in a rich brew of insights, anecdotes, and ideas that can benefit anyone with a stake in the urban environment."--Stanley Stark, Oculus
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments ix Introduction: Civicism 1 Jerusalem: The City of Religion 18 Montreal: The City of Language(s) 56 Singapore: The City of Nation Building 78 Hong Kong: The City of Materialism 111 Beijing: The City of Political Power 140 Oxford: The City of Learning 161 Berlin: The City of (In)Tolerance 191 Paris: The City of Romance 222 New York: The City of Ambition 249 Notes 279 Bibliography 321 Index 333
