Super Short Summary

The City in History by Lewis Mumford traces the development of cities from ancient times to the modern era, exploring their origins, transformations, and potential futures. Mumford examines elements such as cooperative living, resource pooling, innovation, and the impacts of exploitation and centralization. He critiques modern urban problems like pollution, overcrowding, and loss of individualism, advocating for cities built with communal well-being in mind. The book addresses topics such as slavery and labor exploitation.