Comments on: Book Ideas

By: Jeff M. Bezdek

Jeff M. Bezdek — Mon, 02 May 2011 18:58:38 +0000

Totally agree with Kirk about Suburban Nation.

By: Mark

Mark — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 20:34:42 +0000

Steve: Any plans for an updated edition of “OKC: Second Time Around”? Near future or when MAPS 3 is done?

By: Kirk Humphreys

Kirk Humphreys — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 05:03:02 +0000

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

By: Ed Shadid

Ed Shadid — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 03:14:15 +0000

I am reading, have read parts of or will look for all four of these books. Please keep the recommendations coming.

By: Kris Bryant

Kris Bryant — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 16:32:26 +0000

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.

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 13:41:18 +0000

“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

By: Doug Loudenback

Doug Loudenback — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 13:32:37 +0000

Absolutely agree with Brian.

By: Brian J

Brian J — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 13:28:13 +0000

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.

By: Dennis Wells

Dennis Wells — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 11:22:06 +0000

(…I see an empty slot on my bookshelf!)

By: Colin

Colin — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 07:50:48 +0000

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)