The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs
The Death and Life of Great American Cities is Jane Jacobs’s examination of how streets, neighbourhoods and diversity shape urban life. This Vintage Books edition is a substantial 480-page English-language paperback listing, suited to readers interested in urban planning and city communities.
At a glance
- Explores what Jacobs argues makes streets safe or unsafe and how neighbourhoods function within a city.
- Discusses why some neighbourhoods remain impoverished while others regenerate, alongside the role of urban diversity.
- The listing describes the book as a critique of short-sighted urban planning, first published in 1961.
Reference price: $32.16
Price checked: 13 Nov 2026
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Pros and cons
Pros
- Covers interconnected themes including street life, neighbourhoods, diversity and urban change.
- Customer feedback describes the writing as readable and the content as informative, including for readers interested in city planning.
Technical specifications
9 specifications| Publisher | Vintage |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 1 December 1992 |
| Edition | Vintage Books ed. |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 480 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 067974195X |
|---|---|
| ISBN-13 | 978-0679741954 |
| Dimensions | 13 x 2.59 x 20.22 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight listed | 1.05 kg |
What to know before buying
- The listing presents this as a 1992 Vintage Books edition of a work first published in 1961. Customer feedback is mixed on whether its urban-planning ideas remain relevant today, so readers seeking contemporary case studies may want more recent material alongside it.
- Customer feedback is mixed on paper quality. The listing gives the edition and page count but does not specify paper stock.
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Readers studying urban planning, city neighbourhoods or community dynamics.
- Readers looking for a substantial work on street life, urban diversity and planning ideas.
Less suited to
- Readers seeking a contemporary survey or up-to-date case studies as their only source on urban planning.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
79% 79% - 4 stars
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4% 4% - 2 stars
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Customer feedback highlights the book’s informative content, writing and readability, with some readers describing it as essential for city planners. These reactions fit a 480-page work focused on streets, neighbourhoods and urban planning. Opinions are mixed on present-day relevance and paper quality, so buyers wanting current case studies or a particular print finish should weigh those considerations separately.
Positive themes
- Readers describe the content as informative and the writing as accessible.
Mixed feedback
- Feedback differs on whether the book’s ideas remain relevant today.
- Opinions on the paper quality vary.
Frequently asked questions
What does the book discuss?
The listing describes discussions of street safety, neighbourhoods, urban poverty and regeneration, and the role of diversity in cities.
Which edition is this listing for?
It lists a Vintage Books edition published on 1 December 1992, with 480 pages in English.
Is the book considered relevant today?
Customer feedback is mixed. Some readers find its planning principles still relevant, while others consider it outdated.
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