Reviews (1)

John Grisham fans should read this book instead!
"Our Town" is a poignant and powerful legal thriller. This is perhaps a surprising way to characterize a work by UCal, Berkeley policy wonks, published by one of the lesser known university presses, but this book deserves the widest possible readership. It tells the epic, heroic, heart-rending, and true story of the attempt to bring fair housing policy to New Jersey, the most suburban state in the country, and by extension, the most representative of American housing trends. It tells the story of an attempt by the African-American community of Mt. Laurel, New Jersey- a community whose origins date back to the colonial period - to create affordable housing in what was then, in 1968, a largely rural, white township of southern New Jersey. In response to thier request for the necesary zoning approval, the then mayor of Mt. Laurel (and wealthy farmer and late state senator) William Haines told the black community of Mt. LAurel: "if you people cannot afford to live in our town, then you will have to move." (this is a quotation from memory). The legals battles that followed over the next 25 years were epochal for New Jersey and for the country. This story is an epic (not unlike Jonathan Harr's book about the toxic wazste dumps in Massachusetts, A Civil Action) with genuine heroes such as Ethel Lawrence , the black New Jersey woman who led the fight, and even NJ supreme court justices who saw through the racism of Mt Laurel officialsand the subtler but equally insidious intransigence of NJ governor Thomas Kean, who, for my money, is the worst villain of the lot. (I am, by the way, a New Jerseyan myself).Everyone who care about racial justice in America should find this book worthwhile. For an essentialy academic study, it is astonishingly moving. I read it in hardcover, when it first came out, mainly because I was attracted by its stylish cover, but it is the kind of book I actively recommend to my friends and family. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Discrimination in housing    2. Housing (Social Welfare Aspects)    3. Minority Studies - General    4. Mount Laurel (Township)    5. New Jersey    6. Race And Ethnic Relations    7. Sociology    8. Housing    9. Human rights    10. Property, real estate, land & tenancy law    11. Racism & racial discrimination    12. Social issues    13. USA   

Subjects:  1. Homeless persons    2. Homelessness    3. Political activity    4. Poverty    5. Public spaces    6. Social Science    7. Sociology    8. Sociology - Urban    9. United States   

Subjects:  1. Child psychology    2. Developmental - Child    3. Homeless Persons    4. Homeless children    5. Homeless families    6. Poverty    7. Psychology    8. Services For The Homeless    9. Social Psychology    10. Social Science    11. Social Work    12. Sociology    13. United States    14. Children    15. Family & Relationships / General    16. Homelessness    17. Housing   

Reviews (1)

A determined restatement of the highly improbable
Polikoff is convinced that a person's bad behavior ought not have any adverse effects on the type of lifestyle he or she enjoys; that a good way to help persons change their behavoir is to give them money; and that the complaints of the working class and lower middle class about the non-working poor can be dismissed as classism or racism.
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Subjects:  1. Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice    2. African Americans    3. Chicago    4. Discrimination & Racism    5. Discrimination in housing    6. History    7. Housing    8. Illinois    9. Law and legislation    10. Public Policy - City Planning & Urban Dev.    11. Public housing    12. Social Science    13. Sociology    14. Civil rights & citizenship    15. Social Science / Discrimination & Race Relations   

Reviews (2)

An invaluable companion to Volume One
Where "eros" was covered in the first volume, the second deals with the thanatos, or death urge. Particularly interesting isThewelveit's treatment of the "soldier's blackout," a synapse frying climax of inner psychological tension resulting fromextended periods of drilled formation. An invaluable companion to Volume One, though less interesting in that Vol. I was(IMHO) a revolutionary reformulation and synthesis of many of the insights of Reich, wheras this volume merely elaborates onthe (not so obvious) conclusions.

An innovative feminist critique of fascist Literature.
This second volume of Theleweit's ground-breaking examination of proto-fascist 'Freikorps' novels spans disciplinary lines by examining historical documents from a unique combination of feminist and psychological perspectives. While the text is intellectually weighty, Theleweit manages to avoid the verbal dryness inherent in the subject.His thesis is outrageous, illuminating and largely coherent.A must read for aspiring academics and cultural historian ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fascism and sex    2. Fascism and women    3. Freikorps    4. General    5. Germany    6. Heer    7. Literary Criticism    8. Military - General    9. Sexual behavior    10. Sociology    11. Soldiers    12. Housing    13. Military life & institutions   

Reviews (1)

A Significant Contribution
Scholars and interested parties critical of the presumptions and practicies of HUD's infamous HOPE VI program have often had a byzantine research path to follow.Part of the blame falls on the lack of institutional memory at HUD (referenced in the Zhang and Weismann paper in chapter 2 of this book), but serious critical insight into this program has been a long time in coming.Given the considerable impacts this program has had and continues to have on urban ethnic and racial minorities, that is a major public administration shortcoming.
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Subjects:  1. Chicago    2. General    3. Government policy    4. Illinois    5. Low-income housing    6. Political Science    7. Politics/International Relations    8. Public Policy - City Planning & Urban Dev.    9. Public housing    10. Sociology    11. Sociology - Urban    12. United States    13. Urban & Regional    14. Housing    15. USA   

Subjects:  1. Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice    2. Bank loans    3. Community Reinvestment Act of    4. Community development    5. Housing & Urban Development    6. Law    7. Law and legislation    8. Legal History    9. Legal Reference / Law Profession    10. United States   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Banlieues    3. Case studies    4. City planning    5. Community development, Urban    6. Domestic    7. Sociology    8. Sociology - General    9. Suburbs   

Reviews (6)

Disengenuous
Some of the individuals in this book were slandered by blaming them unfairly for the purchase of Temple Beth Hillel by the city of Boston. The bias of the authors was not tempered by interviewing the Temple members whom they verbally attacked.
Good case study
As this type of exodus had occurred before in other large U.S cities, I believe this book is an excellent detailed account of what occurred in Boston. The author does a great job of showing all of the issues facing those involved (local politicians, Jews, Blacks, etc.).The end got a little boring for me since I was interested less in the legislation surrounding this problem and more in how it affected individuals. I highly recommend this book if you're from the Boston area or know the area they speak of well.

Bordering on Excellence but not the Power Broker
As a student of Urban Life/History in the US, there are two great books to read on urban renewal:this book and the Power Broker (Caro).What Levine and Harmon expose in Boston, Caro does the same for NY.The difference is that the latter seeks to blame an individual (Robert Moses) for the demise of communities, cultures, homes and neighborhoods, while the former holds financial institutions and the government accountable.Nonetheless, I believe this book is a must read for anyone interested in understanding the intracies surrounding urban development.If you are like me, you will not put this book down. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History - General History    2. History - U.S.    3. Jewish - General    4. Sociology    5. Sociology - Urban    6. United States - State & Local - General    7. Black studies    8. History / United States / State & Local    9. History-Jewish - General    10. Housing    11. Jewish studies    12. Jews    13. Multicultural studies    14. Religion / Judaism / General    15. Social Science-Sociology - Urban    16. Social issues    17. USA    18. c 1960 to c 1970   

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Economic Conditions    3. Poverty    4. Public Policy - General    5. Social Science    6. Sociology    7. Sociology - Urban    8. Homelessness    9. Housing    10. Microeconomics    11. Social Science / Sociology / Urban    12. Social groups & communities    13. USA   

Subjects:  1. Housing & Urban Development    2. Law   

Subjects:  1. Discrimination in housing    2. Housing    3. Housing policy    4. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    5. Political Science    6. Politics/International Relations    7. Public Policy - City Planning & Urban Dev.    8. Residential mobility    9. Sociology    10. Sociology - Urban    11. United States   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Europe, Western    3. General    4. Housing policy    5. Housing, Rural    6. Planning    7. Sociology    8. Urbanization    9. Architecture / Planning    10. Europe    11. Housing    12. Rural communities   

Reviews (3)

Save your money and type in the words "Home Defect" into Google
This book feels like it was written by a college student who does lousy internet research.Most of the information in the book is basic common sense, outdated, and I found that you can get better up to date info. by just doing research on the internet.There are many typos throughout the book and the author's credentials often contradict themselves if you pay close attention.I feel as if I clearly read this book closer then the editor or author ever did.Don't waste your time or money here.

A "must" for every homeowner
Home And Condo Defects: A Consumer Guide To Faulty Construction by Thomas and Rachel Miller offer the non-specialist general reader a wealth of information and resources designed specifically for homeowners, and presented in direct, straightforward language for the lay person. Its primary purpose is not a do-it-yourself repair book, but rather a guide to complex and variable legal codes covering what is a defect, what a homeowner's responsibilities are, the responsibilities of the insurance companies, and what to do if one is sued or forced to sue. An extremely practical book, Home And Condo Defects is a "must" for every homeowner stranded in today's increasingly complex and problematic legal system.

San Francisco Chronicle, Dec. 16, 2001:
SF Chron: The Millers are attorneys whose firm has won many millions of dollars in awards from developers for construction defects. Their slender, soft-cover book guides the home buyer through the typically long and winding process. At its best, the book serves as translator for all of the legalese that confronts a consumer in search of relief for such problems as leaking roofs, toxic mold and cracked foundations. At its worst, the book underscores the need for attorneys, which, need I remind you, is what the Millers are. Yet they resist the temptation to say, "If we were representing you, we would. . . ." And they freely remind you that you can get much of the information in their book for a click of the mouse. The scoop is presented in both places in a fairly breezy, confidential, tete-a-tete style of writing that any reader would find accessible. For emphasis, each chapter ends with do's and -don'ts (about who can sue, what lawyers can argue, the role of insurance), which are recapped in the appendix. The appendix also answers 12 of the most-asked questions about construction defects, lists 11 "Trust me, I'm the builder" myths and outlines the top 15 reasons builders face construction defect lawsuits. No. 1 of the latter, by the way, is poor customer service. Which is the big reason why, if you suspect your home has defects, you will want to pick up a copy of this book. -- by Susan Fornoff ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Condominiums    2. Construction    3. Construction contracts    4. Construction industry    5. Housing & Urban Development    6. Law    7. Law and legislation    8. Legal Reference / Law Profession    9. Popular works    10. Practical Guides    11. Reference    12. United States   

Reviews (1)

a human disaster and tragedy!
This researchdocumentation chonicles the development, history, and failure of mass public housing in large urban centers, such as Chicago. Theresearchers give a detailed history on local, (Chicago Housing Authority),and Federal government policies which brought about the demise of masspublic housing. Also, they timeline the drug epidemic and the organizedgang involvement into the underground economy of drug trafficking, which isdestroying the human fabric of these massive housing developments. Theauthors survey three housing developments, to give the reader insight intothis tragedy and how the inhabitants are surviving this holecoust. Thereare times when the hopelessness of this delimma appears insermountable. Theresearchers attempt to give their insights on present government policiesto SAVE the vulnerable population of young women and children who are themajority inhabitants in public housing. They acknowledge demolition ofmassive housing structures as the only viable alternative to combat theviolence and gang dominance over public housing. This is very informativeand insightful reading about public and social policies which control thelives of the disadvantaged. The researchers do not deny that itsinhabitants are one of the major factors in which crime and violence areuncontrollable in public housing. The authors state that unlike wars inother countries, this war is not being fought for anything...there isneither a greater cause that the residents can use to justify theirsuffering nor any hope that the violence might lead to a greater good! Thisis a must READ! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chicago    2. Chicago Housing Authority    3. Government - U.S. Government    4. Housing authorities    5. Illinois    6. Political Science    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Public Affairs & Administration    9. Public Policy - City Planning & Urban Dev.    10. Public Policy - Social Services & Welfare    11. Public housing    12. Sociology    13. Causes & prevention of crime    14. Housing    15. Local government policies    16. USA    17. Urban communities    18. Violence in society   

Reviews (1)

great book
This is a great book for anyone who is interested in segregation both past and present. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Decision making    3. Discrimination    4. Discrimination in housing    5. Economic Conditions    6. General    7. History    8. Law and legislation    9. Political Science    10. Politics / Current Events    11. Politics/International Relations    12. Presidents    13. United States    14. Housing    15. Political Science / General    16. USA   

Subjects:  1. Asia - China    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: World    5. Public Policy - City Planning & Urban Dev.    6. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    7. Hong Kong    8. Housing    9. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    10. c 1945 to c 1960   

Reviews (2)

A Necessary Book
I thought it was going to be more about the adventures in loft living (or something like that), but it was about economics, politics, and class/race.At times, it was dry.However, I know it's a fairly classic text and an important read.

Author's comments: what LOFT LIVING tells us about cities
When I wrote this book about the transformation of lower Manhattan a number of years ago, SoHo was already recognized as an artists' and a landmark loft district.Because of the many modern art galleries and theneighborhood's general ambiance of being "discovered," it alsobecame a tourist destination.I wanted to explain the process ofdiscovery--how derelict loft spaces attracted artists in the 1960s and1970s, and through them, provided a cultural core for the commercialredevelopment of the central city.Did I predict that the art gallerieswould flee to another neighborhood, and be replaced by clothing stores andshoe boutiques?That rents would rise and struggling artists would bereplaced by rock stars and rich people?LOFT LIVING lays the groundworkfor these developments, exposing the connections between chic urbanlifestyle, media hype, and real estate developers.This book was fun towrite and, I think, prescient. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Housing (Sociological Aspects)    2. Lofts    3. New York    4. New York (State)    5. Public Policy - City Planning & Urban Dev.    6. Real estate development    7. Remodeling for other use    8. Social aspects    9. Sociology    10. Sociology - Urban    11. Housing    12. Urban communities   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Domestic    3. Great Britain    4. Housing    5. Planning    6. Public Policy - Social Services & Welfare    7. Social Science    8. Sociology    9. Sociology - General    10. Sustainable development    11. Architecture / General    12. Residential buildings, domestic buildings    13. Sustainability    14. United Kingdom, Great Britain    15. Urban communities   

Reviews (5)

Interesting and well-researched book
And I learned a lot of curious and odd little details that I thought were utterly fascinating. Tom Fetters is *the man* when it comes to Lustron Homes. Plus, the book is filled with dozens of vintage photos and brochures and ephemera. As an architectural writer, I loved the vintage graphics and old-fashioned 1950s advertising copy. What a hoot!
American Architecture
This is a must-have book for anyone interested in American Architectural History, history of pre-fabricated housing or offbeat/innovative design that has been overlooked by conventional residential builders.
THE definitive book on Lustron homes!
An exceptionally well-researched and informative study of these historically-significant all-porcelain-enameled-steel houses. Fetters documents just about every aspect of Lustron's amazing history, from design & company background to manufacture & marketing to the political machinations that led to Lustron's demise. The text is supplemented by important company documents, useful diagrams and photos, and a valiant first attempt at listing all known Lustron addresses by state. (An updated online inventory, supplemented with the author's help, is available at "Lustron Locator".)
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Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Construction - General    3. Corporate & Business History - General    4. History - General    5. Infrastructure    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Technology    8. United States - 20th Century    9. Construction industry    10. Houses, apartments, flats, etc    11. Housing    12. USA    13. c 1945 to c 1960