Building the Skyline: The Birth and Growth of Manhattan's Skyscrapers

This is a scholarly book, which covers comprehensively not only the history of Manhattan skyscrapers in a wealth of detail (including zoning, urban environment, etc.). The book has decidedly an "urban socio-economics" focus (as contrasted from an architectural or engineering focus). The wealth of detail on specific periods in the growth of the city, and the resulting social and economic forces behind construction of tall building is perhaps unparalleled!This book is not for the casual reader, who might find it too detailed, too technical, too detailed and perhaps tedious in parts.For the serious reader and professional (whether from urban planning, commercial real estate, or simply skyscraper aficionado), it is highly engaging and comprehensive treatise on the subject!Here is a summary TOC:Part One: Before the skyscraper revolution (chapters: Manhattan natural history; Mannahatta to Monahattan: settlement to grid plan; Land use before the civil war; the tenements and the skyline)Part Two: The rise of the skyline (The economics of skyscraper hight; measuring the skyline; the bedrock myth; the birth of midtown; edifice complex? The cause of the 1920s building boom; what is Manhattan worth? One hundred and fifty years of land values; epilogue: the resilient skyline)

This book is very detailed and carefully traces the history of skyscrapers in New York City. It is written by an economist, but it will be of interest to people who want to know more about the city's history and why it has so many skyscrapers. I like how the author debunks several myths. Overall, this book is likely to become a classic!

This is primarily a social and economic history of Manhattan bent on refuting the claim that Manhattan's skyline, with its clustering of skyscrapers in the financial district and in mid-town, came about due to the profile of the island's bedrock and any engineering challenges that that might have presented. Instead, the author argues persuasively that social and economic factors determined the skyline, while acknowledging that the bedrock profile might have influenced somewhat those social and economic patterns. I was hoping for more information regarding the actual construction of skyscrapers, which is discussed a bit, but is not the focus of the book. That's not meant as a criticism of the work. Just that if you're looking for a book discussing the evolution of building design and construction this probably isn't the book for you. Taken for what it is, the book is quite good, and is well argued and documented.

I am halfway in it,At sound point it becomes very detailed and tedious.It would have been nice to have a section where the story of each skyscraper is told.

Very well researched; a good read for economists and engineers alike. This book will make you appreciate the civilized chaos of a dynamic society: how the new builds on the old, and how self-interested individuals end up building a metropolis that benefits the many.