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9780711229785

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Cuts through the snobbery to mount a passionate defence of the amazing adaptability of life there. Bookseller This is a highly readable and thought-provoking essay on the way we live today. Waterstone's Books Quarterly Worth reading the ruminations of a keen intellect and a good writer on a subject close to his heart. Besides, he's right. Suburbs are not to be sneezed at. RIBA Journal Barker's polemic offers a fascinating foray into social history. Ham & High It seems more productive to learn from suburbia's successes than to dismiss if for not fitting our ideals. Barker's book, with its beautiful photographs and genuine love of its subject, is a decent attempt to do just that. Architecture Today An elegantly argued, appealingly illustrated essay, he makes the case for suburbia into a fanfare for the common man. Scotsman The suburb is Britain's key contribution to world architecture - and it has spread like a virus. For decades suburbia was sneered at by those with taste and money; Barker attempts to expose this as class and intellectual prejudice, and redefines the suburb as a successful heterotopia. Financial Times A highly entertaining treatise that recognises the worth of humane architects and the wickedness of red tape. Camden New Journal Enchanting and persuasive. Times Literary Supplement The book's well-presented evidence of enduring popular taste and intellectual argument plus planning history, combined with many lavish photographs, make a convincing case. Planning in London People need reminding of how important are the freedoms he celebrates here. Until planners have become less doctrinaire, these freedoms can never be taken for granted. Oldie Compulsive and entertaining. Ham & High Wonderfully provocative. Daily Telegraph

Author Information

Paul Barker regularly writes and broadcasts on social, cultural and urban issues. He is a senior research fellow of the Young Foundation in East London, and the former Editor of New Society magazine. His latest book is Hebden Bridge : A Sense of Belonging, as well as The Other Britain, Living as Equals, Arts in Society and The Freedoms of Suburbia. Born in West Yorkshire, he now lives in North London. Philippa Lewis is a picture researcher, author and editor. Previous publications include Details: A Guide to House Design in Britain. She is married to the painter Miles Thistlethwaite and lives in Somerset. Visit Philippa's website at www.philippalewis.com

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