′...it is a fascinating volume, filled with passing insights into both policy and historiography. The Commentary following each section is particularly useful, as well as are the introductory comments by Stave. This book is highly recommended for all urban geographers interested in contemplating the ′whys′ behind the distribution of cities and the location of people within metropolitan areas.′ -- Urban Geography, Vol 4 No 1, 1983
′...it is a valuable report on the state of urban history and its relation to public history.′ -- The Public Historian