Book Ideas
Here’s a question suggested by a reader: what books about Oklahoma City would you recommend to new city council members Ed Shadid and David Greenwell?
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Comments
If You Don’t Weaken, by Oscar Ameringer- about Oklahoma more generally, but with a lot of good historical information about the early days of OKC, by the man who came within a few votes of being OKC’s first socialist mayor…he was also a friend of Ed Shadid’s great great grandfather, and a friendly rival of EK Gaylord (they tore each other apart in print, but would pop into each other’s newsrooms from time to time)
Nick, are you refering to “The Rise and Fall of Great American Cities” (or something like that)? Great book.
Steve’s book “OKC: Second Time Around” is a good, concise overview.
“The Great American Jobs Scam – Corporate Tax Dodging and the Myth of Job Creation “by Greg LeRoy
“By showing how the tax dodging system works, the book will empower taxpayers to hold their elected officials—and the corporate special interests—accountable. It should be required reading for governors, mayors and legislators around the country who want to invest their citizens’ money wisely and effectively.”
—Robert S. McIntyre, Citizens for Tax Justice
So far I have been very impressed with the new councilmen’s understanding of city government. They have likely already read many of the books we are recommending.
I am reading, have read parts of or will look for all four of these books. Please keep the recommendations coming.
Two great reads on the American city:
The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs, and
Suburban Nation by Andres Duany and Jeff Speck
Steve: Any plans for an updated edition of “OKC: Second Time Around”? Near future or when MAPS 3 is done?
Jane Jacobs. It’s as relevant to OKC as any book possibly could be.