The Public and Its Possibilities

"An ambitious work of scholarly synthesis, The Public and its Possibilities braids together descriptions of socioeconomic trends, cultural conflicts and political philosophy from the late colonial era to the present... Resting on vast historical scholarship, The Public and its Possibilities would provide a useful interpretive spine for an undergraduate history course, comparable in some ways to Eric Foner's The Story of American Freedom."--American Studies, Vol. 52, No. 2 "[Fairfield provides] a multitude of references to key events, movements, people and organizations used to expound [his] narrative... This book plays a crucial role in exposing the many striking similarities between the concerns of today and the past... In terms of his narration, Fairfield saves the best for last with a truly excellent and comprehensive final chapter focusing on the damage inflicted on American cities by suburbanization and middle-class self-interest... [T]he strength of the book is in detailing the continuing conflict inherent in the struggle for democratization as civic aspirations are perpetually set against private and individual interests. The central theme of the role of citizenship and how to cultivate this for the public good offers a reminder of how this has persisted right up to the present. Fairfield's excellent narrative will be of interest to scholars and students across the social sciences who are interested in the development of the American city and in the struggles and contestations for civic participation and democracy." Housing Studies "One of the many overarching themes Fairfield addresses, the one that most effectively conveys the evolution of the US city is civic activism. The author connects this theme to virtually every other historical topic, such as women's rights, labor, economics, and ultimately, urban ecology, in a most convincing manner. Although this is a scholarly work, general readers will find the prose accessible and stimulating. Summing Up: Recommended." - Choice "In The Public and its Possibilities, John D Fairfield synthesizes the work of a multitude of scholars to give a detailed overview of the trajectory of the public throughout American history. It is an impressive survey of American social, political and labour history as seen through the lens of a civic public created through deliberation and engaged with political questions... The Public and Its Possibilities is a wonderful resource for understanding how a democratic public has been imagined, promoted and repressed throughout the history of the USA. It chronicles the centrality of the urban to the democratic public and makes a significant argument for the importance of cities to our social and political health." - Urban Studies