A clear, thorough, carefully documented history of how and why
America became a country of suburbs rather than cities and towns.
"The United States has thus far been unique in four important
respects that can be summed up in the following sentence: affluent
and middle-class Americans live in suburban areas that are further
from their work places, in homes that they own, and in the center
of yards that by urban standards elsewhere are enormous." Citing
Brooklyn Heights in the 1830s as the first true American suburb,
Jackson traces the influences that shaped America's domestic land
use style. These influences fit into three categories: economic,
political and philosophical. The underlying economic factor is the
high per capita wealth that has allowed Americans to realize their
domestic ideal of the detached house. Inexpensive land and
balloon-frame house construction combined to bring the price of
suburban housing within the reach of most Americans, and
inexpensive transportation made commuting between work and home
possible. The political system built roads, financed sewer
construction, offered mortgages, and structured the tax system so
that there were (and are) clear economic incentives to purchase a
home. Jackson suggests that the philosophical influences are so
strong and so much a part of the weave of American society, that
the move to the suburbs was the result of "the development of new
cultural values." Historically, Americans seemed to have a distrust
of urban life and a strong belief that "a detached house in a safe
quiet and peaceful place" was the basis of a good, moral life and
strong family. However, he predicts the growth of suburbs will be
arrested because of the rise in transportation and energy Costs.
But he disagrees with those who predict their disappearance: "the
American suburb is a remarkable and probably lasting achievement."
In his introduction, Jackson makes two related statements:
"Through-out history, the treatment and arrangement of shelter have
revealed more about a particular people than any other products of
the creative arts." And, "living patterns condition our behavior."
Although Jackson provides a comprehensive explanation of how and
why the "social geography" of America developed, he does not tell
us who we are as a result. One waits in vain for Jackson to explain
how our uniquely American style of living has shaped us. (Kirkus
Reviews)
The winner of the Bancroft Prize and the Francis Parkman Prize, this book is the first detailed history of suburban life in America from its origin to the drive-in culture of today.
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