New York City

"NYC’s story is the story of U.S. cities generally, from its history and dynamic early growth, to its economic transformation and the ascendance of neoliberal urbanism and austerity politics, to the spread of gentrification, and the housing woes of contemporary times. Katrin Anacker’s book provides the foundation for comprehending New York in all of its dimensions and as such is an indispensable tool for anyone, student or scholar, seeking to understand this most important of U.S. cities."

Edward Goetz, Professor, University of Minnesota

Author of The One-Way Street of Integration: Fair Housing and the Pursuit of Racial Justice in American Cities

"Katrin Anacker breaks down the colossus of Gotham into digestible bites. Lifetime New Yorkers, recent migrants, and urban experts alike will find something to chew on in this accessible book that covers the city’s history, geography, economics and its pivotal, unique role in the nation and world. Anacker never loses sight of the big picture even when including an admirable level of detail – locals and visitors alike will learn that the city’s festering garbage piles go back to plans laid in 1811! The book is very well-sourced and each chapter concludes with a short list of cities to learn more about the central topic, providing the reader with a nearly infinite set of rabbit holes to dive into."

Michael Lens, Professor, UCLA

Author of Where the Hood At: Fifty Years of Change in Black Neighborhoods

"There are many books written about New York City’s neighborhoods, history, economy, politics, housing, transportation, and geography. What makes “New York City: The Basics” unique is that it incorporates essential knowledge about all these social domains into one intricately detailed, well-structured and clearly written scholarly work. It is astonishing to me how many distinct sources of information Katrin Anacker has surveyed, investigated, scrutinized, selected from, and expertly organized. The book offers a complex mosaic of all significant aspects of urban life and can serve as an encyclopedic source of reference to one of the most mesmerizing, conflicted, divided, yet energizing and beloved metropolises in the world."

Elena Vesselinov, Associate Professor, City University of New York

"Katrin B. Anacker’s New York City: The Basics is a succinct and readable primer on the evolution of the city, starting from its early history to now. It draws from multiple academic disciplines to highlight the importance of geographic location for its development as a global economic center, explains the role of immigration in creating its rich demographic diversity, and provides background on the city’s struggles with housing supply."

Rachael Woldoff, Professor, West Virginia University

Author of Priced Out: Stuyvesant Town and the Loss of Middle-Class Neighborhoods

"Anacker has created a demographic, economic, and cultural survey of New York City that seamlessly links the remarkable evolution of this phenomenal place with its present character. Wonderfully concise and immensely satisfying."

Laura Wolf-Powers, Professor, City University of New York

Author of University City: History, Race and Community in the Era of the Innovation District