Urbane View

Positive in approach and provocative in viewpoint, this impressive collection of essays by a leading sociologist investigates the human condition as it is being shaped by today's (1972) urban environment. It focuses upon many of the salient questions generated by the current "urban crisis" and deals in depth with the social structure and political process of contemporary American cities.The articles and essays are based upon fifteen years of extensive research in a number of major metropolitan areas. They analyze the social participation of urbanites, political behavior, efforts to reform the cities, and offer some pertinent considerations for future goals. Throughout, the problems of the cities are seen as 'the problems, conflicts, and harsh dilemmas of the American soul."