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SoBrief
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How to Kill a City
by Peter Moskowitz • 2017
Four cities, one playbook: policy and profit, not hipsters, push out the poor and replace them.
4.07
4k+
How to Kill a City Summary
How to Kill a City 88%
Four cities, one playbook: policy and profit, not hipsters, push out the poor and replace them.
by Peter Moskowitz 2017
4.07
4k+ ratings
Bowling Alone
by Robert D. Putnam • 2000
The clubs emptied and Americans stopped voting. The damage goes deeper than loneliness.
3.85
9k+
Bowling Alone Summary
Bowling Alone 88%
The clubs emptied and Americans stopped voting. The damage goes deeper than loneliness.
by Robert D. Putnam 2000
3.85
9k+ ratings
The New Urban Crisis
by Richard Florida • 2017
Why urban revival is driving inequality and pushing out the middle class.
3.49
1k+
The New Urban Crisis Summary
The New Urban Crisis 88%
Why urban revival is driving inequality and pushing out the middle class.
by Richard Florida 2017
3.49
1k+ ratings
The Origins of the Urban Crisis
by Thomas J. Sugrue • 1996
Detroit collapsed from job loss and housing segregation decades before the 1967 riot finished it.
4.24
2k+
The Origins of the Urban Crisis Summary
The Origins of the Urban Crisis 88%
Detroit collapsed from job loss and housing segregation decades before the 1967 riot finished it.
by Thomas J. Sugrue 1996
4.24
2k+ ratings
Sidewalk
by Mitchell Duneier • 1999
Some of the most disorderly figures on the sidewalk are also the ones preventing real crime.
4.15
2k+
Sidewalk Summary
Sidewalk 87%
Some of the most disorderly figures on the sidewalk are also the ones preventing real crime.
by Mitchell Duneier 1999
4.15
2k+ ratings
Glass House
by Brian Alexander • 2017
Private equity bought a glass factory. By the time they were done, a town was destroyed.
3.91
2k+
Glass House Summary
Glass House 87%
Private equity bought a glass factory. By the time they were done, a town was destroyed.
by Brian Alexander 2017
3.91
2k+ ratings
Capital City
by Samuel Stein • 2019
Gentrification is not a market outcome. It is policy, written by the real estate industry.
3.92
2k+
Capital City Summary
Capital City 87%
Gentrification is not a market outcome. It is policy, written by the real estate industry.
by Samuel Stein 2019
3.92
2k+ ratings
The Night Always Comes
by Willy Vlautin • 2021
A Portland waitress has one night to make a down payment or her family loses everything.
3.83
7k+
The Night Always Comes Summary
The Night Always Comes 87%
A Portland waitress has one night to make a down payment or her family loses everything.
by Willy Vlautin 2021
3.83
7k+ ratings
Coming Apart
by Charles Murray • 2012
Post-1963, the working class unraveled while a new elite sealed itself away.
3.81
6k+
Coming Apart Summary
Coming Apart 87%
Post-1963, the working class unraveled while a new elite sealed itself away.
by Charles Murray 2012
3.81
6k+ ratings
Suicide of a Superpower
by Patrick J. Buchanan • 2011
America didn't fall; it jumped. The ideas shredding it are its own choices, not enemy blows.
4.05
844
Suicide of a Superpower Summary
Suicide of a Superpower 87%
America didn't fall; it jumped. The ideas shredding it are its own choices, not enemy blows.
by Patrick J. Buchanan 2011
4.05
844 ratings
The Promised Land
by Nicholas Lemann • 1991
The mechanical cotton picker displaced millions, and the cities they fled to were never the same.
4.24
798
The Promised Land Summary
The Promised Land 87%
The mechanical cotton picker displaced millions, and the cities they fled to were never the same.
by Nicholas Lemann 1991
4.24
798 ratings
The Next Civil War
by Stephen Marche • 2022
One in four Americans support secession. A journalist models the scenarios that could tip the rest.
3.68
2k+
The Next Civil War Summary
The Next Civil War 87%
One in four Americans support secession. A journalist models the scenarios that could tip the rest.
by Stephen Marche 2022
3.68
2k+ ratings
Evicted
by Matthew Desmond • 2016
Poverty isn't the cause of eviction. Eviction is the cause of poverty, and the market profits.
4.47
115k+
Evicted Summary
Evicted 87%
Poverty isn't the cause of eviction. Eviction is the cause of poverty, and the market profits.
by Matthew Desmond 2016
4.47
115k+ ratings
American Made
by Farah Stockman • 2021
Three factory workers lost their jobs to Mexico. What they lost next surprised everyone but them.
4.31
1k+
American Made Summary
American Made 87%
Three factory workers lost their jobs to Mexico. What they lost next surprised everyone but them.
by Farah Stockman 2021
4.31
1k+ ratings
The Other Side of Prospect
by Nicholas Dawidoff • 2022
A murder in New Haven, a false confession, and the forces that made both inevitable.
4.43
462
The Other Side of Prospect Summary
The Other Side of Prospect 87%
A murder in New Haven, a false confession, and the forces that made both inevitable.
by Nicholas Dawidoff 2022
4.43
462 ratings
Paper Girl
by Beth Macy • 2025
A Pell Grant was her exit from working-class Ohio. Four decades later, the road is closed.
4.02
11k+
Paper Girl Summary
Paper Girl 87%
A Pell Grant was her exit from working-class Ohio. Four decades later, the road is closed.
by Beth Macy 2025
4.02
11k+ ratings
Invisible Child
by Andrea Elliott • 2021
Born homeless in Brooklyn, Dasani gets one shot: a boarding school that accepts one in ten.
4.70
20k+
Invisible Child Summary
Invisible Child 87%
Born homeless in Brooklyn, Dasani gets one shot: a boarding school that accepts one in ten.
by Andrea Elliott 2021
4.70
20k+ ratings
American Apartheid
by Douglas S. Massey • 1993
The ghetto was engineered. Segregation, not class or culture, makes black poverty permanent.
4.13
2k+
American Apartheid Summary
American Apartheid 87%
The ghetto was engineered. Segregation, not class or culture, makes black poverty permanent.
by Douglas S. Massey 1993
4.13
2k+ ratings
Ghetto
by Mitchell Duneier • 2015
The ghetto was built in Venice. It took 500 years for America to perfect it.
3.75
583
Ghetto Summary
Ghetto 87%
The ghetto was built in Venice. It took 500 years for America to perfect it.
by Mitchell Duneier 2015
3.75
583 ratings
Brazil Is the New America
by James Dale Davidson • 2012
The math of debt, energy, and demography says the American era ends and Brazil's begins.
3.17
36
Brazil Is the New America Summary
Brazil Is the New America 87%
The math of debt, energy, and demography says the American era ends and Brazil's begins.
by James Dale Davidson 2012
3.17
36 ratings
The Death and Life of Great American Cities
by Jane Jacobs • 1961
Slums with low crime and safe sidewalks: the invisible logic cities follow when planners look away.
4.29
20k+
The Death and Life of Great American Cities Summary
The Death and Life of Great American Cities 86%
Slums with low crime and safe sidewalks: the invisible logic cities follow when planners look away.
by Jane Jacobs 1961
4.29
20k+ ratings
Escaping the Housing Trap
by Charles L. Marohn Jr. • 2024
Housing can't be both affordable shelter and a good investment. That conflict is the trap.
4.37
503
Escaping the Housing Trap Summary
Escaping the Housing Trap 86%
Housing can't be both affordable shelter and a good investment. That conflict is the trap.
by Charles L. Marohn Jr. 2024
4.37
503 ratings
Nowhere to Live
by James S. Burling • 2024
Why can't Americans afford homes? A century of rules made building them illegal.
4.00
12
Nowhere to Live Summary
Nowhere to Live 86%
Why can't Americans afford homes? A century of rules made building them illegal.
by James S. Burling 2024
4.00
12 ratings
Gang Leader for a Day
by Sudhir Venkatesh • 2008
A sociologist ran a Chicago gang for a day. The books were cleaner than he expected.
4.07
26k+
Gang Leader for a Day Summary
Gang Leader for a Day 86%
A sociologist ran a Chicago gang for a day. The books were cleaner than he expected.
by Sudhir Venkatesh 2008
4.07
26k+ ratings
All That Is Solid
by Danny Dorling • 2014
Britain has a third more bedrooms than people. The housing disaster is engineered, not inevitable.
3.55
144
All That Is Solid Summary
All That Is Solid 86%
Britain has a third more bedrooms than people. The housing disaster is engineered, not inevitable.
by Danny Dorling 2014
3.55
144 ratings
The Left Behind
by Robert Wuthnow • 2018
Rural America's anger is grief: not for lost jobs, but for communities where belonging meant duty.
3.58
650
The Left Behind Summary
The Left Behind 86%
Rural America's anger is grief: not for lost jobs, but for communities where belonging meant duty.
by Robert Wuthnow 2018
3.58
650 ratings
Uses of Disorder
by Richard Sennett • 1970
The young craving for purity is architecting our cities into sterile, segregated cages.
3.88
258
Uses of Disorder Summary
Uses of Disorder 86%
The young craving for purity is architecting our cities into sterile, segregated cages.
by Richard Sennett 1970
3.88
258 ratings
The Great Inversion and the Future of the American City
by Alan Ehrenhalt • 2012
American metros are inverting: affluence returns downtown, immigrants settle the suburbs.
3.77
678
The Great Inversion and the Future of the American City Summary
The Great Inversion and the Future of the American City 86%
American metros are inverting: affluence returns downtown, immigrants settle the suburbs.
by Alan Ehrenhalt 2012
3.77
678 ratings
America
by Chris Hedges • 2018
Addiction, casinos, and the death of work: the symptoms of late capitalism's terminal stage.
4.23
3k+
America Summary
America 86%
Addiction, casinos, and the death of work: the symptoms of late capitalism's terminal stage.
by Chris Hedges 2018
4.23
3k+ ratings
San Fransicko
by Michael Shellenberger • 2021
Progressive compassion for the homeless and addicted is making both groups larger and sicker.
4.01
4k+
San Fransicko Summary
San Fransicko 86%
Progressive compassion for the homeless and addicted is making both groups larger and sicker.
by Michael Shellenberger 2021
4.01
4k+ ratings
The Option of Urbanism
by Christopher B. Leinberger • 2007
America's car suburbs were built by policy, not consumer choice. The market now wants the opposite.
3.89
185
The Option of Urbanism Summary
The Option of Urbanism 86%
America's car suburbs were built by policy, not consumer choice. The market now wants the opposite.
by Christopher B. Leinberger 2007
3.89
185 ratings
The Deindustrialization of America
by Barry Bluestone • 1982
Plant closures were a strategy, not fate. Government made capital mobile and communities expendable.
3.92
25
The Deindustrialization of America Summary
The Deindustrialization of America 86%
Plant closures were a strategy, not fate. Government made capital mobile and communities expendable.
by Barry Bluestone 1982
3.92
25 ratings
The Mandibles
by Lionel Shriver • 2016
The Mandibles waited decades for an inheritance that disappears the night America defaults.
3.71
12k+
The Mandibles Summary
The Mandibles 86%
The Mandibles waited decades for an inheritance that disappears the night America defaults.
by Lionel Shriver 2016
3.71
12k+ ratings
Walkable City
by Jeff Speck • 2012
America's downtowns died for parking. The rules for bringing them back, starting at the curb.
4.32
9k+
Walkable City Summary
Walkable City 86%
America's downtowns died for parking. The rules for bringing them back, starting at the curb.
by Jeff Speck 2012
4.32
9k+ ratings
Behind the Door
by Amy Price • 2023
An interior designer becomes manager of L.A.'s Cecil Hotel, where the dead outnumber the living.
3.48
1k+
Behind the Door Summary
Behind the Door 86%
An interior designer becomes manager of L.A.'s Cecil Hotel, where the dead outnumber the living.
by Amy Price 2023
3.48
1k+ ratings
Improving Poor People
by Michael B. Katz • 1995
Why America keeps trying to fix the poor instead of poverty, and what history reveals.
3.83
12
Improving Poor People Summary
Improving Poor People 86%
Why America keeps trying to fix the poor instead of poverty, and what history reveals.
by Michael B. Katz 1995
3.83
12 ratings
The Upswing
by Robert D. Putnam • 2020
America swings between "we" and "me" eras. The pivot decade was the 1960s.
3.94
2k+
The Upswing Summary
The Upswing 86%
America swings between "we" and "me" eras. The pivot decade was the 1960s.
by Robert D. Putnam 2020
3.94
2k+ ratings
English Journey
by J.B. Priestley • 1934
Factories silent, towns hollow, but the people Priestley met in 1933 refused to vanish.
4.09
483
English Journey Summary
English Journey 86%
Factories silent, towns hollow, but the people Priestley met in 1933 refused to vanish.
by J.B. Priestley 1934
4.09
483 ratings
Poverty Safari
by Darren McGarvey • 2017
Poverty isn't just broke. It's trauma, addiction, and a mind that fights its own rescue.
4.01
7k+
Poverty Safari Summary
Poverty Safari 86%
Poverty isn't just broke. It's trauma, addiction, and a mind that fights its own rescue.
by Darren McGarvey 2017
4.01
7k+ ratings
Decline and Fall
by John Michael Greer • 2014
Empires are wealth pumps. America's runs on oil, nearly dry. The collapse cycle is inevitable.
4.29
156
Decline and Fall Summary
Decline and Fall 86%
Empires are wealth pumps. America's runs on oil, nearly dry. The collapse cycle is inevitable.
by John Michael Greer 2014
4.29
156 ratings
Radical Cities
by Justin McGuirk • 2014
The slums and squatter towers of Latin America are the world's most daring urban experiments.
4.27
434
Radical Cities Summary
Radical Cities 86%
The slums and squatter towers of Latin America are the world's most daring urban experiments.
by Justin McGuirk 2014
4.27
434 ratings
Fist Stick Knife Gun
by Geoffrey Canada • 1995
Respect was won with fists on Union Avenue. Then guns came and rewrote the rules for everyone.
4.03
3k+
Fist Stick Knife Gun Summary
Fist Stick Knife Gun 86%
Respect was won with fists on Union Avenue. Then guns came and rewrote the rules for everyone.
by Geoffrey Canada 1995
4.03
3k+ ratings
Hillbilly Elegy
by J.D. Vance • 2016
Poverty teaches a lesson that keeps you poor: your effort doesn't matter.
3.83
508k+
Hillbilly Elegy Summary
Hillbilly Elegy 86%
Poverty teaches a lesson that keeps you poor: your effort doesn't matter.
by J.D. Vance 2016
3.83
508k+ ratings
The Price of Civilization
by Jeffrey D. Sachs • 2010
What broke the American economy wasn't policy. It was a moral collapse at the top.
3.84
2k+
The Price of Civilization Summary
The Price of Civilization 86%
What broke the American economy wasn't policy. It was a moral collapse at the top.
by Jeffrey D. Sachs 2010
3.84
2k+ ratings
Curbing Traffic
by Melissa Bruntlett • 2021
Dutch cities prove removing cars heals loneliness, restores childhood, and makes everyone richer.
4.38
633
Curbing Traffic Summary
Curbing Traffic 86%
Dutch cities prove removing cars heals loneliness, restores childhood, and makes everyone richer.
by Melissa Bruntlett 2021
4.38
633 ratings
The Lost and the Found
by Kevin Fagan • 2025
A reporter followed two unhoused people in San Francisco. One got out. The other didn't. Here's why.
4.27
912
The Lost and the Found Summary
The Lost and the Found 86%
A reporter followed two unhoused people in San Francisco. One got out. The other didn't. Here's why.
by Kevin Fagan 2025
4.27
912 ratings
On Power
by Robert A. Caro • 2017
How one man built a financial empire inside the government and became untouchable.
3.95
1k+
On Power Summary
On Power 86%
How one man built a financial empire inside the government and became untouchable.
by Robert A. Caro 2017
3.95
1k+ ratings
On Paradise Drive
by David Brooks • 2005
The future is America's home: a restless chase that never ends, consuming dreams along the way.
3.58
814
On Paradise Drive Summary
On Paradise Drive 86%
The future is America's home: a restless chase that never ends, consuming dreams along the way.
by David Brooks 2005
3.58
814 ratings
Rough Sleepers
by Tracy Kidder • 2023
The homeless die ten times faster. A Boston doctor found that trust is the only cure.
4.34
11k+
Rough Sleepers Summary
Rough Sleepers 86%
The homeless die ten times faster. A Boston doctor found that trust is the only cure.
by Tracy Kidder 2023
4.34
11k+ ratings
Homelessness Is a Housing Problem
by Gregg Colburn • 2022
Homelessness rates don't track mental illness or poverty. They track rent and vacancy rates.
4.21
1k+
Homelessness Is a Housing Problem Summary
Homelessness Is a Housing Problem 86%
Homelessness rates don't track mental illness or poverty. They track rent and vacancy rates.
by Gregg Colburn 2022
4.21
1k+ ratings
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