The book contributes perspectives on St Petersburg that have not been covered in depth before, and the interpretations of the roofers, the roofs, and in extension larger portions of Russian culture, are convincing and well argued. Urban cultural geography at its best!

Thomas Borén, Stockholm University, Sweden

In this fascinating contribution to urban studies, Karas shows that St. Petersburg's underground culture thrives hundreds of feet above the ground. Both an ethnography of the “roofers” who co-opt public space for their own, often subversive, purposes, and an exploration of the role of risk-taking in Russia, On Top of the City brings the study of youth culture to dizzying new heights.

Eliot Borenstein, New York University, USA

A fascinating, well-researched glimpse behind the curtain of St Petersburg's rooftop world-where youth culture, creativity, and quiet resistance unfold above one of Russia's most iconic cities.

Bradley Garrett, University of Sydney, Australia