From its emergence at the end of the 18th century, the 'modern' way of life has been closely associated with the growth of great cities. The essays in this collection represent some of the most significant attempts to understand the nature of the metropolis and its relationship with modern life in general. The book includes both classic and contemporary works of sociological theory, literary and architectural criticism, ethnography, polemics and historical work. Yet in their very different ways, each of the authors is trying to make sense of the sometimes frightening but always stimulating phenomenon of contemporary city life. As such the essays speak to each other and to the controversies over the city - what it is and what it should be - that have emerged over the past century. In addition to general works on the social and psychological nature of urbanism, the book includes sections on the built environment and on public space.