Metropolis

Praise

“Metropolis teems with information and observations.”
—The Wall Street Journal

“Ben Wilson takes us on an exhilarating tour of more than two dozen cities and thousands of years . . . Metropolis is a bold undertaking that makes for gripping reading.”
—The New York Times Book Review

“[An] ode to cities and cosmopolitan life . . . Metropolis has the added virtue of Wilson as
an erudite, creative guide to the history of civilization through its great urban areas.”
—TIME magazine

“He explores the growth, diversity and evolution of human civilisation in this enchanting and meandering book.”
—The Evening Standard

“[A] sharp reminder that the metropolis is vulnerable… [Wilson] brilliantly synthesises the forces that make cities hum.”
—Financial Times

“[Wilson] hops from city to city and century to century, interweaving data, primary sources, anecdotes and the arts. . . . Wilson has done an admirable job wrangling his topic down to an easily digestible size.”
—Star Tribune

“Historian Wilson (Empire of the Deep) offers a sweeping survey of how the rise of cities over the past 6,000 years has shaped human history. . . . An amiable and well-informed tour guide, Wilson stuffs his account with intriguing arcana and analysis. Armchair travelers will be enlightened and entertained.”
—Publishers Weekly

“Information rich and accessible. For history and public policy readers seeking a global vision of the impact of world cities.”
—Library Journal

“Wilson has mastered a gargantuan sweep of knowledge. . . Wilson’s enthusiasm for what ancient and modern cities have done for civilization is infectious, as is his magpie approach to various subjects under discussion . . . impeccably crafted.”
—Highbrow Magazine