This wonderful book shows us how democracies thrive -- Steven Levitsky & Daniel Ziblatt, authors of How Democracies Die Fantastic ... both idealistic and, in its myriad examples, pragmatic, and delightfully readable -- Rebecca Solnit, author of Men Explain Things to Me This book is full of hope, which is all the more striking because Klinenberg is a realist. He is a major social thinker, and this is a beautifully written, major book -- Richard Sennett, author of The Craftsman An important book for our difficult age. In very unequal societies, where the social fabric has been torn apart, it is vitally important to bring people together. Eric Klinenberg shows us how this can be done -- Kate Pickett, co-author of The Spirit Level and The Inner Level Klinenberg's observations hold as true for Brexit Britain as they do for Trump's America ... In ripping out our social infrastructure, we are outraging a wisdom that goes back centuries and spans countries ... Our people deserve palaces" Aditya Chakrabortty An essential book, about some of the most important aspects of modern living -- Renzo Piano, architect of the Pompidou Centre and the Shard A comprehensive, entertaining and compelling argument -- Jon Stewart, former host of The Daily Show Brilliant and important ... combines a Jane Jacobs-eye on city life with knowledge of the latest research and practical ideas to address the crucial issues of the day -- Arlie Hochschild author of Strangers in Their Own Land A calm, lucid exposition of a centuries-old idea, which is really a furious call to action -- John Harris * New Statesman * Timely and important ... Klinenberg, an optimist, tells heartwarming stories ... No reasonable person could not want these things * Observer * Significant and engaging ... It's easy to write about the importance of local social life. It's harder to know what to do to support it ... Klinenberg's argument has a powerful simplicity * Financial Times * A vision of the good city ... At the heart of the book is that idea of the library or park rather than the market as the place where urban life is lived at its best -- Owen Hatherley * Guardian *