CRABGRASS FRONTIER: The Suburbanization of America

by Kenneth T. Jackson ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 10, 1985

A clear, thorough, carefully documented history of how and why America became a country of suburbs rather than cities and towns. ""The United States has thus far been unique in four important respects that can be summed up in the following sentence: affluent and middle-class Americans live in suburban areas that are further from their work places, in homes that they own, and in the center of yards that by urban standards elsewhere are enormous."" Citing Brooklyn Heights in the 1830s as the first true American suburb, Jackson traces the influences that shaped America's domestic land use style. These influences fit into three categories: economic, political and philosophical. The underlying economic factor is the high per capita wealth that has allowed Americans to realize their domestic ideal of the detached house. Inexpensive land and balloon-frame house construction combined to bring the price of suburban housing within the reach of most Americans, and inexpensive transportation made commuting between work and home possible. The political system built roads, financed sewer construction, offered mortgages, and structured the tax system so that there were (and are) clear economic incentives to purchase a home. Jackson suggests that the philosophical influences are so strong and so much a part of the weave of American society, that the move to the suburbs was the result of ""the development of new cultural values."" Historically, Americans seemed to have a distrust of urban life and a strong belief that ""a detached house in a safe quiet and peaceful place"" was the basis of a good, moral life and strong family. However, he predicts the growth of suburbs will be arrested because of the rise in transportation and energy Costs. But he disagrees with those who predict their disappearance: ""the American suburb is a remarkable and probably lasting achievement."" In his introduction, Jackson makes two related statements: ""Through-out history, the treatment and arrangement of shelter have revealed more about a particular people than any other products of the creative arts."" And, ""living patterns condition our behavior."" Although Jackson provides a comprehensive explanation of how and why the ""social geography"" of America developed, he does not tell us who we are as a result. One waits in vain for Jackson to explain how our uniquely American style of living has shaped us.

Pub Date: Sept. 10, 1985

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Oxford Univ. Press

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1985

Categories: NONFICTION