No comments about Sustainable Fashion and Textiles: Design Journeys.

5 comments about Flowcharts: Plain & Simple: Learning & Application Guide.

1. There's almost no reference on the market today about flowcharting basics and their usage for different purposes. Since the basic information is vital for whom plan to begin process mapping, this book is a very good beginning to understand and teach the team the flowcharting basics and different types of flowcharts which can be selected according to your needs. Examples and hints are also very useful.



2. This thin book provides the basics of flowcharting basics for a very reasonable price without needing to trawl through the internet to find it.
   
   If you know how to draw basic flow charts in applications like Visio and other MS Office tools, it's likely you will find that you will not get anything out of this book.
   
   This book is designed for someone who is completely new to flow charting, or for someone who needs to teach this skill to others.
   
   What I would have like to have seen is an additional section describing the different standards used in flowcharting and a list of common tools that are available.
   
   While most of the information can be found online for free, it is nice to have it printed in one spot.



3. This book is a tutorial for business flowcharting. This is not a reference book, it is a tutorial; as such it has lot of repetitions and exercises to be sure you learn why and how to create useful flowcharts. If you are a computer programmer, don't get this book, as it does not cover that kind of flowcharts. But if you are a manager, planner, medical doctor (this is a good guide to develop flowcharts for clinical guidelines), or technical writer and you have never created flowcharts before, get this book.
   
   This book cover four flowcharts: basic, detailed, opportunity and deployment charts. They may have other names in other books or softwares but they are the most common types used in the business environment.
   
   The book does NOT cover the usage of any flowcharting software; after reading this you will be able to do it with any software or just with a pencil and paper. The book is about the why, when and how, not about using some software.
   
   The book is pretty easy to read; I think even a child can learn from this book without any problem.
   
   Also, with the book are included some flowcharting paper templates so you can make photocopies and practice.



4. For someone that needs a quick introduction and a working knowledge of Business Process Mapping, this book is ideal. Short on theory, its strength is its focus on taking the reader, step by step through the thinkng and processes of using process maps to improve their business operations.



5. I found this book extremely helpful for determining how to make and read a flowchart as well as which flowchart type to use for each situation. It includes a handy little referral guide and flowchart worksheets.

No comments about Saving Maine.

5 comments about Eating Fossil Fuels: Oil, Food and the Coming Crisis in Agriculture.

1. This book creates a false alarm about our future limited by fossil energy availability, energy utilization, and its impact on food production. The author says the US population has already exceeds the level of long-term sustainability. Increased malnutrition and even starvation are possibilities. The author has selected data to support his own nightmare of a very dramatic food crisis within our lifetimes.
   
   He appears to imply that the food and energy crisis in North Korea may be an example of what will happen to the world, without discussing North Korea's dictatorial government and its military expenditures, including preparations for nuclear weapon manufacture and their delivery. He says that the increased food productivity due to the Green Revolution is largely due just to increased fossil energy usage, but new plant varieties and agricultural technologies are most important for the successes of the green revolution.
   
   The author, D. A. Pfeiffer, does not clearly acknowledge that domestic coal, and then shale can be processed, in an environmentally benign manner, into transportation fuels and nitrogen fertilizer with proven technologies, when oil and natural gas availability becomes a truly economy limiting energy constraint for our nation.
   
   The author has his agenda to promote permaculture and similar agricultural technologies, and blames the government and agricultural industries for these technologies not being utilized now. He does not acknowledge that less that 2% of our US population are farmers, and that they feed us in a very economical manner, as a result of large-scale agriculture, use of considerable inanimate energy, and improved technologies. In contrast, the author advices, "Sustainable agriculture, for all intents and purposes, means a return to small scale farming, where the acreage can be managed by a family, and a horse or mule with a plow." (P. 69) Which option would you choose? This reviewer labored very hard on his father's medium-sized farm until college graduation, and then I chose not to return to the farm. This choice of not to farm is made by many rural youths. For this reason our rural population declines and increases in average age.



2. I wish I had read this book last year, I would already have prepared a vegetable garden to plant this spring. I know about Peak Oil, etc. but this book really got my attention. It provides a clear explanation of how dependent our food supply is on fossil fuels. Higher and higher food prices are in store for us, soon. And that's before we start to see food shortages. The agricultural land in the U.S. can only support about 200 million people, and we have almost 300 million. Plus this agriculture is heavily dependent on oil (to run the irrigation pumps, harvest, process and transport the products), and natural gas (to make fertilizer..who knew?). In a politically unstable world of rising fuel prices, not to mention a future without those fuels, do we really want to rely on imported food to feed our nation? Or go to war over food? This book outlines the problems and has an action plan and extensive list of resources to help solve the problems. Yes! There are things you can do to avert this crisis, whether you live in the city, suburbs, or country.
   Spade up those (organic) Victory Gardens, folks, and learn how to provide and preserve at least some of your own food. Support your local food producers. This year. You'll be glad you did.



3. I bought this book by Mr. Dale Allen Pfeiffer even after reading his horrible book "The End of the Oil Age." I don't care who this author hates, blames or votes for. I did buy Eating Fossil fuels and I must say that I am glad I did. It's a good work! It's professional. It's well written and in this book the author is not foaming at the mouth political. All liberal democrats leaning to the left just love Cuba and it's redistributing of wealth and the Cuban miracle. The Cubans decided to get up and grow vegetables rather than starving to death. Really, you guys give them too much credit for doing what's necessary to eat. Overall, I liked Mr. Pfeiffer's book. It's well done. Regards, Keith Renick, Peachtree City, Ga.



4. One good thing about this book is that the author does not need 300 pages to explain the Oil/Agricuture relation. What I liked most of this book is the explanation on the evolution of agricuture to these days, making clear that Oil is an important contributor to production performance, due to the use of fertilizers, pesticides and of course the energy derived from it in Industrial Agriculture. I agree with the author that we are beginning a transition to a new way of living, not pleasant, due to the fact that oil depletion will make difficult to attain a sustainable agriculture, even a sustainable civilization with the population numbers we have. The effects are visible, inflation and food crisis.
   Most people think that technology will remedy the situation, but if you read more about energy you will realize the future's precarious situation. Governments in the world need to put an eye on it and start doing energy projects, particularly Nuclear. India must control its population growth also. I have my opinion on Cuba but considering all this is a very informative book.



5. Even though I believe that this book is on an important subject, I thought that the material was overly brief and only stated what others have said without proof. Seemed really short on background facts and technical reasoning.

5 comments about My Story as Told by Water: Confessions, Druidic Rants, Reflections, Bird-Watchings, Fish-Stalkings, Visions, Songs and Prayers Refracting Light, from Living Rivers, in the Age of the Industrial Dark.

1. My Story As Told By Water by David James Duncan was a confusing and overly political way to express the author's love for water. HIs diliverey is good, but he should keep in mind that his readers are reading for entertainment, not to hear about our government's poor decisions.



2. For those who are interested in the life and teaching of Henry Bugbee, Duncan's account of Henry's last days makes this book worth reading.



3. Duncan's textbook rants are so predictable I found myself mouthing the next sentence before I read it. As someone who's work and life is submerged in environmental, water use, and preservation issues I find this type of stereotypical ranting more detrimental to the issues that concern me than most G.W. policies. Duncan preaches to the choir, but his preaching is so over the top it is a turn-off. While I agree with virtually every theme and policy he promotes, his pompus diatribes push me in the other direction. If this book were written 40 years ago it might strike a radical tone and inspire action. In these times it is merely a rehash of the new-age mumbo-jumbo that is so easy for the opposition to tear down.

   This book will apeal to two audiences: new-age sheep, and right-wingers looking to bash environmentalists. The rest will find it harder to wade through than Columbia.




4. Duncan is a masterful wordsmith; this no one can reasonably dispute. But over the years, he has become so full of himself, so pretentious and self-important, that to me he is almost unreadable.
   
   I give the book two stars because of a little bit of excellent fly fishing content, and because of Duncan's undeniable writing ability. But before you buy it, you should read Donald Miller's hilarious send-up of Duncan (whom he labels Trendy Writer) in "Blue Like Jazz." Don Miller -- now there's a guy who has something significant to say on metaphysical themes. Duncan is merely showing off; Khwaja Khadir indeed!



5. The conflicted fiction and non-fiction writer delivers a masterpiece. Thank you David.

5 comments about Business and Society: Stakeholders, Ethics, Public Policy.

1. everything in this book is common sense. There is really very little to learn from this, and it is overpriced.



2. Excellent condition. Delivery was a little slow. Great service if you are not in a rush to get the book.



3. The book is very pricy compared to Jim Collins books. However, for a college textbook it is an average price.
   
   As for what is inside the book, there is nothing average about it. The first edition of this book was published in in the 1960's by Prof's Keith Davis and Robert Blomstrom. Since then, it has been updated with new data that further proves the benefits of measuring a triple bottom line.
   
   In Part 1, the authors introduce the argument for, and benefits of, Stakeholder Theory.
   
   In Part 2, the doctrine of Corporate Social Responsibility is introduced, and demonstrates examples of how a firm can manage its relations with Stakeholders.
   
   Part 3 is an excellent treatment of business ethics and why it is important to a profitable business model.
   
   Part 4 discusses the effects of globalization, as well as management of government policy and treatment of anti-trust.
   
   Part 5 discusses a company's responsibility to the environment and ecology.
   
   Part 6 discusses the roles, challenges, and opportunities in technology.
   
   Part 7 is the meatiest, and I argue the most valuable, portion of the book. It includes five chapters on building stakeholder relationships, to include the controversies in the Board of Directors and Officer compensation, consumer protection, labor relations, diversity, and media/public relations.
   
   This book is more than just common sense. The organization provides for a great overview of the subject, including some topics you may not have thought of. The case studies are a fantastic way to dig deeper into the material. The strategies and real-world examples will benefit anyone who wishes to introduce more responsibility into their corporation and reap the benefits.
   
   Without this book being required reading in business school, many students may never consider these topics, especially in the framework of Stakeholder Theory. I think the world will be a better place when more students are introduced to this textbook and embrace the ideas therein.



4. I would like to have known ahead of time that this book had been rebound. It said it was the 10th edition, was supposed to be the 12th edition. There was no ISBN number anywhere in the book for me to even identify that it was the correct book. The only way that I was able to identify was to read the preface of the book. The delivery was very quick.



5. Great book. To bad its hugely expensive. But all books are this price. Thanks publishers for making college more expensive.

5 comments about The American West at Risk: Science, Myths, and Politics of Land Abuse and Recovery.

1. 'The American West at Risk' never made it onto my bookshelf. It is still on my desk, months after buying it, and I expect it will remain there for some time as my frequently referenced, easy-to-understand guide to the environmental problems facing the American West. What's truly valuable about this book is that the information that the authors distilled into it is so pertinent and relevant yet usually impossible to find in one place with such clarity and detail. The average person usually has to grapple with lengthy, convoluted and sometimes misleading environmental assessments and impact statements regarding the extent of damage that projects of the DoD, DoE and other federal agencies have caused or may cause the land and health of peoples in the West. Wilshire, Nielson and Hazlett have distilled the thousands of pages that the beginner or amateur researcher - whether farmer, rancher, downwinder, transplant or even politician - would normally have to page through to get a handle on a controversial Western land-use issue. The authors, deeply concerned about land abuse in the West, have taken the time and effort to put together this themed-reference guide that no one else has done. They did a 5-star job at it.



2. The authors bring science into the political discussion of our consumptive use of the arid West and spare no sacred cows. We are carelessly and systematically using up and destroying the natural resources that make the West the unique and wonderful place we love; replacing wildlife with domestic animals and off-road vehicles; making sacred places into dumps and mining the water that provides life to both the desert and ourselves.
   This is a must-have book for conservationists, teachers and anyone who cares about understanding our impact on these rugged but fragile lands.



3. This book is an ideal source book for environmental studies programs at the university level. It provides objective, largely dispassionate discussions of a broad range of human activities that have fundamentally shaped and degraded the natural landscape of the American West. These activities include: logging, mining, minerals exploration, oil and gas production, road building, military training, chemical and nuclear weapons manufacture and testing, waste disposal, water diversion, grazing, and motorized recreation.
   
   The authors provide comprehensive discussions of the more significant environmental impacts of each of these activities; general scientific background for understanding the nature and interrelations of these impacts; and historical/political insights for understanding how these adverse environmental situations have developed through time. Each discussion attempts to provide an even-handed treatment of these complex and often controversial issues. Moreover, the book is very well documented. It includes a 23-page glossary of terms, a 25-page index, 45 pages of factual appendices, and 150 pages of clearly referenced footnotes.
   
   In summary, The American West at Risk is an excellent guide and text for the serious study of environmental issues in the western United States.



4. With great good fortune and apparent wisdom the United State became a magnificent country from sea to shining sea. How tragic that our enormous, fertile and bounteous western lands should be so ill-used that, indeed, in many cases, they are crumbling and disintegrating before our very eyes. We have not been good stewards of our land and its resources; this book tells the story. Backed by years of experience at the U.S. Geological Survey, the authors make a meticulous, reasoned, well-documented and comprehensive argument. If we don't pay attention we are in danger of squandering our natural bounty to greed, mismanagement and indifference. Every federal, state and county policy maker, every earth science professor, every geologist and ecologist, every library, indeed every citizen who has the barest inkling of what's at stake should have this book. Halting and reversing years of land, water, waste, mineral and air mismanagement will not be easy, but must and can be done. This reasoned and thoughtful book proves that we are on a collision course with a tragic destiny if we don't begin to care and care properly for our land. This cry and program for better land stewardship gives us the technical know-how and the hope that it can be done.



5. This may be one of the most important books ever written. The title and cover photo don't do justice to the alarming thesis that our entire civilization is at risk, with a multitude of problems coming to a head this century. My children, ages 7 & 4, may face such gigantic problems by middle age as to make one despair. But never despair; these problems have been created by humans and we can grapple with them and solve many. But planning is critical, lest we once again be like naked people in a dark room with a hot stove in the middle--bumping into the stove and then each other, reacting only to the moment. Many of us do live for the moment and that could be our downfall as a species. We need to shift gears to a new mode of thinking that abandons continuous growth in all areas--easier said than done!

3 comments about The Natural Step for Communities: How Cities and Towns can Change to Sustainable Practices.

1. In the 1980s, Lahti's hometown of Overtornea, Sweden was dying. The worldwide recession left the village in an inhospitable climate with no major industry and a declining population. Lahti organized community residents and developed a plan to revitalize Overtornea using principles of environmental, economic, and social sustainability. Thus was born the sustainability revolution in Sweden that is taking hold in Europe and spreading to other parts of the world. This is not a story, but a how-to manual. The king of Sweden has endorsed Lahti's methods and seen a resurgence of vital business throughout the country while reducing waste and fossil fuel consumption.



2. My participation in a local "sustainable cities" study circle included reading and studying this book. The book is a study of the renewal that has taken place in Sweden. Faced with a collapsing economy, cities, with collective cooperation from businesses, the government and their citizens brought prosperity back to Sweden. What we mean by "sustainable cities" is a community that is self-supportive--an equilibrium. And this brings about a cleaner, more efficient way of life.
   
   Sweden can be an example for us to follow, especially their developments and the sense of community. The U.S. is not Sweden, nor do we want it to be. Sweden is a socialistic country. That means the government controls more than it should. That's why it needs to start at the bottom, with each individual--a new mindset or outlook. There are things cities can do to bring themselves closer to sustainability without damaging their economy. In fact, with incentives, there may be new growth never before seen.
   
   The book has many positives and negatives. Planning starts with the local municipalities, not the federal or state government. We need to be careful when we try and solve one environmental problem only to create a whole new problem. The book is rife with socialistic thinking. The authors would have been better off leaving "global warming" and politics out.
   
   America is prosperous, it took Sweden a meltdown to come to grips with its future as a nation. In a democracy, with God as its foundation, we will stay strong. There are amazing things that Sweden has done, we should take a look at them.
   
   Wish you well
   Scott



3. Currently, my city is undergoing a move from an average municipality to becoming an eco-municipality. This change would have never been possible without this inspirational book. Our city is working at creating a system approach to change rather than doing one little thing at a time just like The Natural Step advises.
   
   It has helped other cities in Wisconsin to become more sustainable and it truly has a lot of ideas in it. It uses a lot of referesnces to Sweden, but still leaves room to discuss how North America is pushing for change as well. This is a MUST read for anybody who works in municipal government or is an active community leader.

5 comments about The Great Lakes Water Wars.

1. As a former resident of northeastern Ohio, growing up near the shores of Lake Erie, I expected to be captivated by Peter Annin's treatise on the water resources issues of the Great Lakes, and it did not disappoint. But I think there's plenty here for anyone interested in the expanding issue of water resource diversion, as it spreads from the notoriously thirsty southwest to the Great Lakes, which house 20% of the world's fresh surface waters.
   
   The five lakes in the Great Lakes surface water drainage basin seem inexhaustible and have, for centuries, been treated that way by neighboring states and provinces. Massive pollution identified in the 1960s raised the first indication of the Lakes' vulnerability. Annin tackles the issues of water resource allocation in three sections. The first sets the stage by talking about surface water resource challenges generally, from the difference between water rights assumptions in the eastern and western US, to the disastrous overuse of the Aral Sea in the former USSR, to the unknown problems that will result from global warming.
   
   The second section uses stories to articulate the political and economic challenges surrounding six specific water diversion cases in the Great Lakes basin. The third explains the attempts by the eight states and two provinces within the Great Lakes basin to agree on political and legal mechanisms for protecting and preserving this enormous resource. His book ends with a cliffhanger; in late 2005, an historic regional agreement was signed by all the states and provinces in the basin but it must be codified into law by each state and US Congress. His website tracks its progress: [..]



2. I started out to skim Peter Annin's book, determine what to say, and decide how to write a requested review. I had no trouble becoming completely engrossed at the start of the Author's Note and Prologue, and read the whole thing. Cover to cover. I do not need to abridge all its contents in great detail, nor could I begin to accomplish that task as eloquently, chronologically, and thoroughly as does the author anyway. What's more, the stories presented are fascinating and rapidly ensnare the reader. It will be of value to active professionals, students, politicians, NGO participants, and elected officials as well as to residents of the Great Lakes Basin, and to those who think they can tap into its abundant waters. What's more, it is informative and fun to read.



3. "Water Wars" is not only a fascinating study of the controversies over fresh water, but also a dissection of the political process. Not since I read "1776" have I been more amazed that this country succeeds in spite of itself. Peter Annin details in minute detail the efforts of the 8 Great Lakes States and 2 Canadian Provinces as they try to protect and yes, profit from, the huge repository of fresh water that they border. I am full of admiration for the people who have worked for decades to try to protect this natural resource, forging agreements only to see them scuttled at the last minute. The book represents a tremendous amount of meticulous research and I found it very informative.



4. Every day, twice a day, I travel along the shores of Lake Erie. When traffic permits, I can't help but look out over the waters of the lake. It is not more than a mile from my house, we vacation on an island in it, we get our tap water from it, and it moderates our weather. In short, while we rarely think about it, it is always there, involved in our life.
   
   I am now thinking more about Lake Erie, and the other Great Lakes, thanks to The Great Lakes Water Wars by Peter Annin.
   
   Contents:
   Author's Note
   Prologue
   Chapter 1: To Have and Have Not
   Chapter 2: The Aral Experiment
   Chapter 3: Rising Temperatures, Falling Water?
   Chapter 4: Aversion to Diversion
   Chapter 5: Reversing a River
   Chapter 6: Long Lac and Ogoki
   Chapter 7: Pleasing Pleasant Prairie
   Chapter 8: Sacrificing Lowell
   Chapter 9: Tapping Mud Creek
   Chapter 10: Akron Gets the Nod
   Chapter 11: The Nova Group and Annex 2001
   Chapter 12: Marching toward a Compact
   Chapter 13: Waukesha Worries
   Chapter 14: Who Will Win the War?
   Epilogue
   www.greatlakeswaterwars.com
   Notes
   Index
   
   Early in the book, Peter Annin looks at the Aral Sea, probably the worst ecological disaster man has wrought upon the environment. While the reader may be aware of it, Annin takes a much more detailed look at the reasons an ramifications behind that "experiment." Using Central Asia as a cautionary tale, he goes around the world to the Great Lakes Basin, an area that is home to 40 million people in two countries. Using a well researched and balanced approach to the issue of water use and policy, he brings to the forefront a war that is raging within the United States and Canada over the use of the Great Lakes. This is not a new war, but it is one that is taking on importance since the fastest growing areas of the United States are also the ones that are farthest from sources of freshwater. It is also an issue within sight of a Great Lake, as seen in the reversal of the flow of the Chicago River and in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Annin's approach to the issue makes it accessible to the general reader. While the idea of reading a book centered on water may seem "dry" (sorry about that), he does an excellent job of bringing the issues to life by incorporating maps, graphics, and recent water cases. Some, like Akron, OH, strike close to home. He delves into the policies that shape Great Lakes water use, made more difficult because the governing body includes all states and provinces that are on the shoreline of a Great Lake. The characters and personalities involved in the policy-making liven up the chapters. I was surprised to learn that Ohio's own Sam Speck, head of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, had a key role in the discussions. He not only reports on the governments and their policies, but also on the business and environmental viewpoints as well. While he leaves the discussion in late 2005, early 2006, his website, greatlakeswaterwars.com, will provide you with additional information and updates, making this a "living" book.
   
   I live within a watershed that contains 20% of all of the freshwater in the world. Four of the lakes rank in the top ten largest freshwater lakes by area. Three of the lakes rank in the top ten freshwater lakes in volume. I have known, for a while, that I live in a very unique area of the United States. While many of my parent's friends moved to warmer climes, I kept wondering where they expected to get their water. As more people move to places that shouldn't exist, like Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles, my source of freshwater will take on new and important meaning. This point was driven home when Annin reported on the issues facing Waukesha, WI. That is a place where people move with no regard to water. And they have a major issue. How many others move without asking about the natural resources available to them? What about you? Is the only time you think about water is when your city tells you not to water your lawn? This is an important book, not only for the people that live within the Great Lakes Basin, but as a glimpse into an issue that will shape the future of the United States, Canada, and other parts of the world. It is also a review of how the Great Lakes states and provinces view water use and conservation. While we may share the resource, we don't share the same viewpoint, and that was a real education.
   
   Annin provides a lot of facts and figures, but they don't bog down the reader. He tries to keep the book flowing (again, sorry) and does a very good job, especially when he brings the people into the discussion. Breaking up the work, by using some key graphics and pictures, keeps the material interesting and also allows the reader to gain further insight into the issues. Some of his notes further expand on the points he was making, and also provide additional reading material, if you want to know more about the Great Lakes Basin and key information in the chapters.
   
   Highly recommended.



5. As a hydrologist in the Great Lakes' basin, this book is a great read. It brings the science into lay terms, without making gross generalizations. Easy to read, and highly interesting. Even after studying Great Lakes water issues for 3 years, I learned a think or two. Change begins with awareness.

5 comments about The Option of Urbanism: Investing in a New American Dream.

1. People outside the planning profession would find this book helpful in understanding new directions that are possible. Developers who are looking for a competitive advantage tool would do well to avail themselves to Leinberger's perspective on urbanism. It is an easy read, not technical, requires no specific background other than a healthy curiosity and drive to do better. City commissioners would also benefit from purusing these pages.
   
   The author is a major mover and shaker in Albuquerque and a key proponent of their downtown revival. Leinberger writes from first-hand experience. I recommend reading books like this because it is a chance to get inside the head of a visionary. A person could easily read one book like this each week; how else could you immerse yourself in 52 change agents per year?? When a consultant of Leinberger's stature shares 5 hours of his insights for less than $20 it is a pretty good value.



2. Written from a perspective that most urban critiques fail to provide, this book grounds the reader in the real estate, demographic and policy realities that have shaped the American built environment into what we see today. Leinberger knows this stuff cold, both as a developer and through his more recent positions in Brookings and academia. He writes in an approachable style and provides the most thorough discussion to date of the entrenched system of subsidies and practices fueling types of residential and commercial construction that is increasingly at odds with the "true" market. Late in the book, I think he makes a rare--but very appropriate--connection between the implication of the continuation of these policies and our future energy needs. For those of us who like a good, constructive reality check now and again in the midst of all the usual suburban finger-wagging, it's a must-read book this year.



3. I met Chris Leinberger 13 years ago when we began in earnest to address how we were growing in Atlanta. He was knowledgeable, articulate and helpful then, and he continues to be so today. I have borrowed extensively from this new book of his in helping people to understand how growth and development issues relate to each other, why we must pursue walkable urban development, and what the multiple benefits are that derive from this approach to development and redevelopment. This book is well written, is appropriate for lay persons and "wonks" and can be read in just a few sittings. Thank you, Chris, for a terrific resource at such an important time in our nation's development history.



4. Great book. I lived the phases of walkable neighborhoods to driving-suburban. Now we have return to sustainable, walking neighborhoods especially with the gas cost.
   
   As I grew up, I felt supply and demand dictated growth. This book explained government and economic factors that influence development.
   
   good read



5. In _The Option of Urbanism_, Christopher Leinberger documents the history of both urban ("walkable urbanism") and suburban ("drivable sub-urbanism") settings. Before WW II, most people lived in cities and towns where most of their needs (shopping, etc.) could be met via a short walk, or perhaps, with public transportation.
   
   After the war, the big swing was to the suburbs, due to several factors. Government and financial-institution policies tended to favor the suburbs, freeways, single-family housing and shopping malls....and discouraged any meaningful pro-urban development--at least until very recently. Nowadays there is a considerable demand for more dense housing, with destinations within walking distance.
   
   Although Leinberger is very much in favor of urbanism, he does talk about some problems with it (affordability/gentrification is a big issue with some of the newer urban developments). Neither does he call for the suburbs to cease to exist, although he warns that some suburban developments may be hurt by the shift to the cities, rising gas prices, etc. (This book was written right before the current mortgage and gas price crises, and we're starting to see their effects on certain suburban areas as I write this)