The Making Of Urban Japan: Cities And Planning From Edo To The Twenty-First Century (Nissan Institute Routledge Japanese Studies Series)

Rating:
Summary: A note from the author
Review: I feel a bit outrageous in assigning my own book five stars, but what can I say, I'm biased!

I am really just writing this note to let potential readers know that my book is winner of the International Planning History Society book award for best single-author book in planning history 2000-2003, awarded at the IPHS conference in Barcelona in July. For me, that is just about the best possible affirmation of the value of the book.

I am also pleased to inform you that a new paperback edition was released during May of 2004. I have included below three excerpts from recent reviews in relevant journals.

Best wishes,

Andre Sorensen


Reviews:

`Andre Sorensen has written a very important book. More than any English language study now available, it unlocks a major puzzle in understanding modern Japan - why has a country that has excelled at industry and efficiency in its economy (and transport systems) failed so miserably in providing a high urban quality of life for its citizens? ... A very well written work'-
Urban Studies

`Meticulously researched and impressively presented ... a tremendous resource for the serious scholar.' -
Geographical Association

`This book should establish itself as the first port of call for both students and scholars embarking on a study of Japanese urbanism and planning history ... a highly sophisticated work'-
Environment and Planning/Government & Policy

Rating:
Summary: great book for people with a serious interest in Tokyo
Review: Sorensen's book is a wonderful overview of the history of Tokyo (and Edo before it), from the point of view of the geographical and physical structure of the city and its development over time. The book should be read by anyone with a serious interest in the planning, architecture, or social history of Tokyo. Well illustrated with maps and plans many of which are not, to my knowledge, readily available to an English language audience elsewhere.