The Spirit of Cities

Daniel A. Bell is the Zhiyuan Chair Professor of Arts and Humanities at Shanghai Jiaotong University and professor of political theory and director of the Center for International and Comparative Political Philosophy at Tsinghua University in Beijing. His books include China's New Confucianism and Beyond Liberal Democracy (both Princeton). Avner de-Shalit holds the Max Kampelman Chair for Democracy and Human Rights at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His books include Disadvantage and Power to the People.

"The book is extremely interesting and entertaining for lovers of cities all over the world, and perhaps even for those who are not, because The Spirit of Cities is quite insightful and takes the reader on a thought-provoking personal journey. Moreover, the style of the book is attractively conversational (even autobiographical). . . . It is also worth mentioning that The Spirit of Cities, combining strolling and storytelling with cutting-edge theory, encourages debate on new ways of inquiry in the social sciences."---Agnieszka Ogrodowczyk, European Spatial Research and Policy --- "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 --- "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 --- "This highly readable book . . . is academically informed but will not strike the general reader as academic."---Sunder Katwala, British Future --- "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." --- "For this city lover their book was a passionate, profound and inspiring journey to the heart of the contemporary urban experience." --- "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