mlklein1's review against another edition
3.0
This is a very interesting book, loaded with fascinating information about cities and the role they have played on shaping human history. And perception of history. This is a global view, not a western view. I very much appreciated that.
My only note is that I felt Wilson didn't stay on the subject with his chapters all the time. We're reading about Ancient Rome and suddenly we're reading about contemporary cities. Cities that are getting their own chapters later. And I didn't feel that there was such a pressing need to show the connections between then and now - and in fact, sometimes there weren't any. So, though I very much enjoyed the book, exhaustively researched, but I felt a little reorganization would have been prudent.
My only note is that I felt Wilson didn't stay on the subject with his chapters all the time. We're reading about Ancient Rome and suddenly we're reading about contemporary cities. Cities that are getting their own chapters later. And I didn't feel that there was such a pressing need to show the connections between then and now - and in fact, sometimes there weren't any. So, though I very much enjoyed the book, exhaustively researched, but I felt a little reorganization would have been prudent.
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
4.0
From its origins over 7000 years ago to the present day and into the future this book looks at the rise of the city and the spread of urbanisation. It doesn't take a completely euro-centric viewpoint which is refreshing and although each chapter is focused on a particular city in a particular era, the exploration veers across the millenia. This is a really fascinating book which draws together lots of strands of global history.
pam_sartain's review against another edition
4.0
Metropolis: A History of Humankind’s Greatest Invention by Ben Wilson covers the vast history of cities, from the earliest city, Uruk, through the ages, looking at different cities and how cities have impacted humans and the world around us.
The way Ben Wilson tells the story is really enjoyable, with a city being focused on for a certain period, and highlighting a certain feature.
There is a little mention of Coronavirus at the beginning of the book, which was obviously added as many people are moving out of cities currently, trying to escape the close proximity with others who could spread the disease. But the push and pull of people in cities is covered in this book.
I enjoyed the way it's written, and how Ben Wilson brings the history and cities to life.
Metropolis: A History of Humankind’s Greatest Invention was published on 24th September 2020, and is available to buy from Amazon , Waterstones , and your local independent bookshop.
I'm afraid I couldn't find a link for you to follow Ben Wilson!
I was given this book in return for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to Vintage .
The way Ben Wilson tells the story is really enjoyable, with a city being focused on for a certain period, and highlighting a certain feature.
There is a little mention of Coronavirus at the beginning of the book, which was obviously added as many people are moving out of cities currently, trying to escape the close proximity with others who could spread the disease. But the push and pull of people in cities is covered in this book.
I enjoyed the way it's written, and how Ben Wilson brings the history and cities to life.
Metropolis: A History of Humankind’s Greatest Invention was published on 24th September 2020, and is available to buy from Amazon , Waterstones , and your local independent bookshop.
I'm afraid I couldn't find a link for you to follow Ben Wilson!
I was given this book in return for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to Vintage .
krystalkat0_0's review against another edition
This book had no cohesion and I didn’t want to spend any more time on it than I already had.
hshinn21's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
slow-paced
4.0