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mol_iver's review against another edition
4.0
thrilled to check this book out from my local public library ! also interesting to read in covid times, when the world is even more devoid of community and the ability to gather.
this book does an excellent job reinforcing what too few know: we are nothing without each other. in order to dismantle systems of oppression and mitigate climate disaster, it is essential to create and maintain public spaces with dignity and function, without the need for profit. i hope this can become something a blueprint for life moving forward.
this book does an excellent job reinforcing what too few know: we are nothing without each other. in order to dismantle systems of oppression and mitigate climate disaster, it is essential to create and maintain public spaces with dignity and function, without the need for profit. i hope this can become something a blueprint for life moving forward.
linnea1m's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
ltjess's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
If there were a mandatory reading list for the most powerful and wealthy in the United States, I would lobby to get this book on the list -- even if it's already been over 5 years since the book was published. Still VERY relevant to the reality of today's situations.
jwinchell's review against another edition
4.0
I’m happy to have read (most of) the Oak Park Public Library’s One Book One OP selection for summer 2019. As a librarian I’m all about the social infrastructure he writes about and this book helped me take stock of the many aspects of social infrastructure I appreciate and utilize in OP. I want to do more in my own library to provide social opportunities to students.
lspargo's review against another edition
4.0
Weird timing. Read this along with a friend who had to read it for grad school. Very interesting book about the importance of social infrastructure, and how building social communities is very important and has surprisingly wide reaching and long lasting positive effects.
caitfoges's review against another edition
4.0
I was inspired to read Palaces for the People after listening to an exceptional episode of the same name on the 99% Invisible podcast. The podcast episode focused almost entirely on libraries, which I loved. Part of me wishes Klinenberg had taken this same course with the book; some of the chapters/examples he included felt disjointed. Many of them were quite interesting by their own merit, but the overall argument of the book did not flow as well as I would have liked.
I also feel like Klinenberg did not go as far with his argument as he could have. His point that we are in dire need of better social infrastructure--actual physical, shared spaces where people have the chance to connect and improve as a whole--was well made. However, how exactly do we make sure that these vital social infrastructure projects get the funding that they deserve? What would successful implementation of these ideas require? To fully address these questions, I think Klinenberg would need to get more political than his apparent non-partisan stance allows. In my opinion, the book needed a bit more direct naming and blaming. That being said, I did appreciate his clear stance on many of the most crucial issues of our time: gentrification in cities, increased polarization and isolation, the impending doom of climate change, and how these trends have the most negative impact on poor, marginalized communities around the world.
I also feel like Klinenberg did not go as far with his argument as he could have. His point that we are in dire need of better social infrastructure--actual physical, shared spaces where people have the chance to connect and improve as a whole--was well made. However, how exactly do we make sure that these vital social infrastructure projects get the funding that they deserve? What would successful implementation of these ideas require? To fully address these questions, I think Klinenberg would need to get more political than his apparent non-partisan stance allows. In my opinion, the book needed a bit more direct naming and blaming. That being said, I did appreciate his clear stance on many of the most crucial issues of our time: gentrification in cities, increased polarization and isolation, the impending doom of climate change, and how these trends have the most negative impact on poor, marginalized communities around the world.
chughes120's review against another edition
4.0
How social as well as physical infrastructure systems shape equality and quality of life. It’s interesting, if not a bit idealistic, and even though there’s not a lot do groundbreaking information in here, it’s a good reminder about the importance of often overlooked or underfunded systems.
dashac's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
was so good! i learned some new things and appreciated how current it is
lilmisssouthernyn's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0