Throughout history, cities have been a powerful source of inspiration and energy, nourishing the spirit of invention and the world of intellect and fuelling movements for innovation and reform. In this text, urban scholar Thomas Bender uses New York City to plumb the source of the city's power and influence in the modern world. Bender traces the history of New York from its humble regional beginnings to its glittering present status on the global map. In a tour that spans neighbourhoods and centuries, he makes a powerful case for the enduring importance of cities in modern life.