by Katerina Cizek ; adapted by Kristy Woudstra ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 2019
A fascinating introduction to the social world of vertical human settlements.
Leading readers on a journey through 10 contemporary cities—Ramallah, Amsterdam, Toronto, Mumbai, Johannesburg, Tainan, Chicago, Prague, Guangzhou, and São Paulo—this book lays bare the rich, complex history behind the familiar fixture of urban and suburban high-rises.
The first section, “A Short History of the Highrise,” traces high-rise communities back to the ancient world, from fourth-century Rome onward, including the five-story Montezuma Castle built by the Sinagua in Arizona in the 1100s and the tulou fortresses in Fujian, China. In a modern context, high-rises are described in their incarnations as crowded 19th-century dwellings for the urban poor and luxury towers for the rich and then, in the 20th-century, as ambitious public housing for the working and middle classes. The second part of the book, “The World in the Towers,” offers windows into how different societies have interpreted and utilized high-rises across time through profiles of individual residents—for example, a closeted lesbian in China, an African American woman from the Cabrini-Green towers in Chicago, and a fair housing activist in São Paulo. Color photographs enhance the narrative along with informative sidebars. Weaving together social and political history, information is framed in a lively manner that will help readers understand the social and environmental contexts of communities living in high-rises around the world.
A fascinating introduction to the social world of vertical human settlements. (resources, glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 12-16)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-2281-0215-1
Page Count: 80
Publisher: Firefly
Review Posted Online: July 12, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2019
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by Sumbul Ali-Karamali ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 14, 2012
Readers will find answers to basic questions about Muslims, yet they might not understand the bigger picture if they don’t...
Ali-Karamali offers plenty of anecdotes about growing up Muslim in America in a conversational tone that is undermined by poor organization.
The work explores a range of questions that non-Muslims might have about followers of Islam. Ranging from a discussion of Muslim holidays or the kinds of clothes worn by Muslims to the development of Islam, the author explains these topics in a friendly, engaging manner. She provides several examples of Muslim practices around the world, going beyond her American experiences to reflect Islam’s diversity. Chapters are organized into three fact-filled sections on beliefs and practices, the development of Islam and current Muslim demographics. Unfortunately, beginning with the practical questions about food, fasting and fashion delays important concepts such as how jihad is not equivalent to terrorism and whether Islam mandates women wear face veils (in a word, no). Compounding this basic conceptual flaw, this organizational choice necessitates clunky references to later chapters. Moreover, it is not until Chapter 4 that cited figures or quotes are provided references, an example of sloppy scholarship.
Readers will find answers to basic questions about Muslims, yet they might not understand the bigger picture if they don’t hang in until the end. (notes, bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 12-16)Pub Date: Aug. 14, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-385-74095-1
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Delacorte
Review Posted Online: June 19, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2012
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BOOK REVIEW
by Somer Flaherty ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 26, 2012
For a guide to fashion, there's not much flair here. But there's plenty of valuable info for budding fashionistas and...
A matter-of-fact tone removes the mystery from style in this work that is one-part fashion manual and one-part career guide.
Flaherty begins by explaining what a stylist is and the tools he or she uses. She moves on to a wide range of different looks like Socialite, Tomboy and Hipster; fashion elements like color and prints; and a thorough understanding of body type. While the number of fashion personalities is impressive, not one is male, a confusing omission given that boys wear clothes, too. The section on body types is very useful with its real-world examples, Naomi Campbell representing the Inverted Triangle type. The second half is more practical, focusing on "curating" a closet, building a wardrobe, styling oneself and others, and styling as a career. Sprinkled throughout the text are activities like a fashion-movie night and organizing a clothing swap. The illustrations are attractive, yet it's too bad there isn't a greater variety of body types represented.
For a guide to fashion, there's not much flair here. But there's plenty of valuable info for budding fashionistas and stylists, going beyond the shallow glitz of fashion magazines and blogs. (index) (Nonfiction. 12-16)Pub Date: Sept. 26, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-9827322-4-3
Page Count: 160
Publisher: Zest Books
Review Posted Online: July 24, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2012
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