Book Review

‘Why is it in Society today, and in particular New York, that the idea of an urban revolution or revolt seems such a ridiculous notion, particularly since the nation was founded on revolution?” This is the question that frames the book Revolts in New York and Urban Revolution By xxxxx.

By addressing twelve events the book aims to create a broader appreciation and understanding of the terms revolt, riot and revolution; their part in the development and transformation of New York City and the significance of their role within the urban phenomenon.

The book examines revolts in New York from the American War of Independence to the 2004 Republican National Convention. By mining this rich historical background the author is able to share a vivid story about what causes revolts, and the many forms revolts can take. A closer account is provided about the demands of revolts and where and how they may have succeeded or failed. It also successfully teases out the spark that ignites revolts and by doing so aims to examine in the broadest sense the degrees of interconnectivity and scales of organization required in each case.

Interestingly, each chapter offers a concluding hypothesis on why the significant event succeeded or failed in achieving its goals and in some cases goes further to express what these goals might have been where it was not entirely clear, thereby attempting to make sense of these events and their relevance to society today. Each section also comes with a series of photographs, interviews and artwork that provide a snap shot of the “sign of the times” which helps provide a general context.

The book strikes the imagination, revealing that revolts are not only common but are essential to revolution and by aiming to understand the question of apathy and passivity prevalent in today’s society, the authors are able to speculate on the future of urban revolt and revolution.

The book was generated out of a course on urban revolution at the graduate center taught by Neil Smith.