Enlarge Cover
Media/Desk Copy Request
From the #1 bestselling author of A Brief History of the World in 47 Borders, the story of how we live now, in 32 highly entertaining and seriously illuminating histories of urban invention
In 1800, almost no one lived in cities. Now, for the first time, a majority of us do. What exactly paved the way for this extraordinary transformation? With his characteristic wit and boundless curiosity, Jonn Elledge takes us on a fascinating, fun, and frequently surprising tour of 32 inventions that made our modern world. He explores the breakthroughs behind the hallmarks of urban life, from skyscrapers and subways to elevators and buses. But he also revels in the origin stories of seemingly ordinary ideas and technologies that we now barely notice, yet without which our cities couldn’t exist, including plumbing and heating, street numbers and sewers, walls and windows, and more. Reminding us that much of the technology we take for granted was once earth-shattering, Elledge celebrates what is, for him, the most important invention in human history: the city itself.
Publisher’s note: A Brief History of Cities in 32 Inventions is published in the UK under the title 31 Inventions That Built Our World.
“National Independent Press Bestseller
A Next Big Idea Club Must-Read Title—Curated by Malcolm Gladwell, Susan Cain, Adam Grant, and Daniel H. Pink
"An informative, often funny compendium. . . . Elledge awakens readers’ sense of wonder at the miracle of modern city life.”—The Economist
“Thousands of years of urbanization unfold in this entertaining history. . . . Readers will learn to be sharper observers of the world around them.”—Publishers Weekly
“This new book is fascinating. . . . Even sewage systems and electric lighting are interesting in Jonn Elledge’s world.”—Andrew Keen, Keen On America
“Jonn Elledge is a natural raconteur with encyclopedic knowledge at his fingertips. . . . A new kind of history book for the modern age.”—Gabriella Bennett, author of How to Build a City
“Knowledgeable and interesting, but never patronizing nor highfalutin . . . slips down like a cool drink on a warm day.”—The Arts Desk
“I just love this book—completely fascinating and totally charming. Jonn Elledge breathes life into history and rekindles the utter magic of everyday things.”—Marina Hyde, author of What a Time to Be Alive!
“A smart, funny, and endlessly fascinating book. Elledge has a wonderful ability to take something seemingly mundane and, with great charm, use it to transform the way you see the wider world.”—Rhiannon Garth Jones, author of All Roads Lead to Rome
“Far funnier than any book about infrastructure has any right to be.”—Daniel Knowles, author of Carmageddon
“An accessible history of civilization told through the things around us we mostly take for granted but someone—usually someone quite odd—thought up in the past. Elledge’s writing style is warm, witty, and erudite, reminiscent of the late, great Douglas Adams. You will not be able to stop quoting facts from this book at everyone you meet, and they will be as amused and intrigued as you are.”—Lewis Baston, author of Borderlines
“Jonn Elledge brings an infectious enthusiasm and a joie de vivre to this masterly story of the building blocks of modern life. I loved it. Read this book to truly understand the world around you, building by building, street by street, city by city.”—Jack Cornish, author of On Every Street
“Fantastic stuff! Jonn has a real gift for making the stories of everyday objects thrilling and unputdownable.”—Jay Foreman, co-author of Map Men
“Would you like to learn some supremely nerdy facts about the history of tram, canal, rail and power networks? Door numbering systems? Windows and doors, sewers and shopping? Lifts and escalators? Go on, of course you do. Jonn has emptied his extraordinary brain and created a magnificent, unobvious tour through the underappreciated systems which form the backdrop to our lives.”—Tim Dunn, presenter of Secrets of the London Underground
“Massively entertaining. . . . Equal parts history, science and farce—but never dull.”—Jim Waterson, LondonCentric
“Fascinating and funny—it’ll have you geeking out over the most everyday things!”—Jago Hazzard, YouTuber on trains, London, and history
