The transformation and revival of New York City from 1990 to 2013 is one of the most remarkable stories in urban history. It was not the result of broader social or economic forces. Instead, it was an intellectual paradigm shift and revolution that only came about because of courageous political leadership, a new set of ideas about governing and established tradition being questioned and changed at the grassroots level. The country needs to know the story of New York’s revival. Politicians need to understand how this happened, community leaders need to recognize the grassroots efforts that turned New York around and the policies that contributed to her rehabilitation. And residents need hope that things will get better and encouragement that it is worth staying and contributing to help their city recover. We need a blueprint on how to revitalize and save our great cities.Nothing could be more important than telling the story of the transformation of New York and its revival in the words and through the stories of those who were there and did the work. Gotham: The Fall and Rise of New York does just that.
