Citizen Reader's Holiday Gift Guide: Wrestling with Moses

One of the best books I read last year was Wrestling with Moses: How Jane Jacobs Took on New York's Master Builder and Transformed the American City.

I know I said enough with the heavy nonfiction reads, but I don't think this one really qualifies as "heavy." It's serious, but for one thing, it's not a really long book. And even though it is a serious historical story, it's also a very personality-driven and lively one.

In it, author Anthony Flint describes how Jane Jacobs (author of The Death and Life of Great American Cities, which I still desperately want to read), a New York City resident and budding urban activist, took on Robert Moses, the New York city planner/builder who dreamed of dropping huge highways right through neighborhoody parts of Manhattan, in the 1950s and 60s. It's a fabulous book, and tells the story from both the urban design and personal activism points of view. I finished this one with a true appreciation for yet another feisty lady--Jane Jacobs--and the rare feeling that individuals can (or at least they were successful once) in taking on unnecessary "progress." Even if you can't think of anyone to buy this book for, consider gifting it to yourself.

So, who might like this book?

Anyone with an interest in or love for New York City.

Anyone with an interest in urban design or architecture.

Readers who enjoy character-driven histories.

Feminist readers who will find a lot to like in feisty (and very smart) lady Jane Jacobs.

Comments

[nan]

Wow -- that is a perfect gift ... for me! Probably too late for wishlists but I'll have to decide whether to buy with my m-i-l's Xmas check or do the ILL thing. I am an urban planning/architecture junkie and have been circling around the Power Broker for YEARS ... my current plan is that when we take a year off and drive around the country in an RV, I'll bring that book. And I have The Life and Death of American Cities but haven't gotten around to that, either. This sounds like a great, concise, well-written account ... my favorite kind of narrative nonfiction. Thank you thank you thank you. (And if I may add my own nonfiction gift recommendation: Other Powers by Barbara Goldsmith -- about Victoria Woodhull, an amazing American character -- suffragette, spiritualist, stockbroker -- great tale, exceedingly well told.)

[Citizen Reader]

Nan!
Well then, get it for yourself! Of course you know my policy on always checking a book out from the library before buying it, but I really think if you're an urban planning junkie you might like this one (although it's no "Power Broker"--that's a dense book!). It actually was very interesting about both Jacobs AND Moses--pointing out that Moses got a lot of good building done in NYC too.

And thank you for the "Other Powers" suggestion. I'm totally checking it out. Happy holidays to you!!

[Angelique]

Hi CR - Thanks so much for the recommendation. I did get this title for my husband for Christmas and was delighted by his "Wow! How did you know? Were you snooping on my holds list?" Turns out this year I did NOT have to hack his library account since I relied on your excellent suggestions. All the best in 2011!

[Citizen Reader]

Angelique--
I'm SO glad to be of help! I hope your husband likes the book--some reviews I read of it said it was too "policy wonky," but I didn't find that at all--I thought the larger-than-life characters of both Robert Moses and Jane Jacobs really made it come alive! I'd be interested to hear what your husband thinks of it, if you ever want to pop back in and let me know.