'This book is in the vanguard of efforts that use cities from the distant past to shed light on contemporary urban processes. It gives scholars, policy makers, students, and others interested in urbanism today much to think about.

Michael E. Smith, Arizona State University

Saitta is unique in that he is as sharp a critic of contemporary urbanism as any geographer or city planner, while at the same time bringing to bear a career of research on ancient cities and forms of life. This book does an excellent job of synthesizing vast amounts of scholarship while showcasing new data from contemporary and archaeological case studies.

Scott Hutson, University of Kentucky