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SoBrief
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Darwin Comes to Town
by Menno Schilthuizen • 2018
Evolution is unfolding faster on concrete than in any rainforest, right under your feet.
4.10
2k+
Darwin Comes to Town Summary
Darwin Comes to Town 92%
Evolution is unfolding faster on concrete than in any rainforest, right under your feet.
by Menno Schilthuizen 2018
4.10
2k+ ratings
Tactical Urbanism
by Mike Lydon • 2014
How to hack your city with paint, planters, and pop-up parks, and prove change is possible now.
3.99
315
Tactical Urbanism Summary
Tactical Urbanism 91%
How to hack your city with paint, planters, and pop-up parks, and prove change is possible now.
by Mike Lydon 2014
3.99
315 ratings
Urban Acupuncture
by Jaime Lerner • 2003
Fast, precise interventions where a city hurts trigger chain reactions no master plan ever could.
3.66
490
Urban Acupuncture Summary
Urban Acupuncture 91%
Fast, precise interventions where a city hurts trigger chain reactions no master plan ever could.
by Jaime Lerner 2003
3.66
490 ratings
Curbing Traffic
by Melissa Bruntlett • 2021
Dutch cities prove removing cars heals loneliness, restores childhood, and makes everyone richer.
4.38
633
Curbing Traffic Summary
Curbing Traffic 90%
Dutch cities prove removing cars heals loneliness, restores childhood, and makes everyone richer.
by Melissa Bruntlett 2021
4.38
633 ratings
How to Thrive in the Next Economy
by John Thackara • 2015
A design movement is ditching ‘less harm’ for an economy that restores soil, water, and community.
3.78
246
How to Thrive in the Next Economy Summary
How to Thrive in the Next Economy 90%
A design movement is ditching ‘less harm’ for an economy that restores soil, water, and community.
by John Thackara 2015
3.78
246 ratings
Streetfight
by Janette Sadik-Khan • 2016
Paint, data, and political nerve: beating the car-first status quo.
4.26
2k+
Streetfight Summary
Streetfight 90%
Paint, data, and political nerve: beating the car-first status quo.
by Janette Sadik-Khan 2016
4.26
2k+ ratings
The Good Bee
by Alison Benjamin • 2019
25,000 bee species exist, most solitary and stingless, and every third bite of food requires them.
4.17
323
The Good Bee Summary
The Good Bee 90%
25,000 bee species exist, most solitary and stingless, and every third bite of food requires them.
by Alison Benjamin 2019
4.17
323 ratings
The Secret Wisdom of Nature
by Peter Wohlleben • 2017
Why a wolf can reroute a river, and salmon feed the forest: nature's invisible connections.
4.05
7k+
The Secret Wisdom of Nature Summary
The Secret Wisdom of Nature 89%
Why a wolf can reroute a river, and salmon feed the forest: nature's invisible connections.
by Peter Wohlleben 2017
4.05
7k+ ratings
The Option of Urbanism
by Christopher B. Leinberger • 2007
America's car suburbs were built by policy, not consumer choice. The market now wants the opposite.
3.89
185
The Option of Urbanism Summary
The Option of Urbanism 89%
America's car suburbs were built by policy, not consumer choice. The market now wants the opposite.
by Christopher B. Leinberger 2007
3.89
185 ratings
The World Without Us
by Alan Weisman • 2007
What happens to every city, every nuclear plant, and every plastic bag the moment humans disappear.
3.81
44k+
The World Without Us Summary
The World Without Us 89%
What happens to every city, every nuclear plant, and every plastic bag the moment humans disappear.
by Alan Weisman 2007
3.81
44k+ ratings
The Comfort of Crows
by Margaret Renkl • 2023
One suburban yard across four seasons: grief, fox kits, and the wisdom of letting things grow wild.
4.16
15k+
The Comfort of Crows Summary
The Comfort of Crows 89%
One suburban yard across four seasons: grief, fox kits, and the wisdom of letting things grow wild.
by Margaret Renkl 2023
4.16
15k+ ratings
Against the smart city
by Adam Greenfield • 2013
Smart cities sell efficiency but deliver surveillance. The real operating system is people.
3.96
132
Against the smart city Summary
Against the smart city 89%
Smart cities sell efficiency but deliver surveillance. The real operating system is people.
by Adam Greenfield 2013
3.96
132 ratings
The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces
by William H. Whyte • 1980
A decade of time-lapse footage on New York plazas upended every assumption about what draws a crowd.
4.33
927
The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces Summary
The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces 89%
A decade of time-lapse footage on New York plazas upended every assumption about what draws a crowd.
by William H. Whyte 1980
4.33
927 ratings
Urban Gardening
by Will Cook • 2012
Your apartment can feed you. The guide to growing food in containers, from windowsill to rooftop.
3.49
180
Urban Gardening Summary
Urban Gardening 89%
Your apartment can feed you. The guide to growing food in containers, from windowsill to rooftop.
by Will Cook 2012
3.49
180 ratings
A Pattern Language
by Christopher W. Alexander • 1977
253 patterns for building, from city to doorknob, that let communities design places people love.
4.42
5k+
A Pattern Language Summary
A Pattern Language 89%
253 patterns for building, from city to doorknob, that let communities design places people love.
by Christopher W. Alexander 1977
4.42
5k+ ratings
No Impact Man
by Colin Beavan • 2009
90 gallons of trash in 4 days: a Manhattan family aims for zero, for a year.
3.78
5k+
No Impact Man Summary
No Impact Man 89%
90 gallons of trash in 4 days: a Manhattan family aims for zero, for a year.
by Colin Beavan 2009
3.78
5k+ ratings
Landfill
by Tim Dee • 2018
Gulls eat our trash, nest on our roofs, and carry our poisons. They are our truest mirror.
3.67
152
Landfill Summary
Landfill 89%
Gulls eat our trash, nest on our roofs, and carry our poisons. They are our truest mirror.
by Tim Dee 2018
3.67
152 ratings
Happy City
by Charles Montgomery • 2012
Sprawl isolates and exhausts. The evidence for repairing cities around human connection and joy.
4.36
10k+
Happy City Summary
Happy City 89%
Sprawl isolates and exhausts. The evidence for repairing cities around human connection and joy.
by Charles Montgomery 2012
4.36
10k+ ratings
Places of the Heart
by Colin Ellard • 2010
How every space you enter, room, street, or screen, quietly rewires your brain.
3.58
680
Places of the Heart Summary
Places of the Heart 89%
How every space you enter, room, street, or screen, quietly rewires your brain.
by Colin Ellard 2010
3.58
680 ratings
Walkable City
by Jeff Speck • 2012
America's downtowns died for parking. The rules for bringing them back, starting at the curb.
4.32
9k+
Walkable City Summary
Walkable City 89%
America's downtowns died for parking. The rules for bringing them back, starting at the curb.
by Jeff Speck 2012
4.32
9k+ ratings
Smart Cities
by Anthony M. Townsend • 2013
Corporations are selling smart cities. A movement of civic hackers has a better blueprint.
3.61
817
Smart Cities Summary
Smart Cities 89%
Corporations are selling smart cities. A movement of civic hackers has a better blueprint.
by Anthony M. Townsend 2013
3.61
817 ratings
The Songs of Trees
by David George Haskell • 2017
Forests are societies. Underground networks let trees communicate, trade, and compete.
4.05
2k+
The Songs of Trees Summary
The Songs of Trees 89%
Forests are societies. Underground networks let trees communicate, trade, and compete.
by David George Haskell 2017
4.05
2k+ ratings
Escaping the Housing Trap
by Charles L. Marohn Jr. • 2024
Housing can't be both affordable shelter and a good investment. That conflict is the trap.
4.37
503
Escaping the Housing Trap Summary
Escaping the Housing Trap 89%
Housing can't be both affordable shelter and a good investment. That conflict is the trap.
by Charles L. Marohn Jr. 2024
4.37
503 ratings
Palaces for the People
by Eric Klinenberg • 2018
Stronger than seawalls: the shared spaces that hold communities together when everything breaks.
3.97
5k+
Palaces for the People Summary
Palaces for the People 89%
Stronger than seawalls: the shared spaces that hold communities together when everything breaks.
by Eric Klinenberg 2018
3.97
5k+ ratings
Drawdown
by Paul Hawken • 2017
100 existing solutions, modeled and ranked: the plan to reverse global warming is already here.
4.40
4k+
Drawdown Summary
Drawdown 89%
100 existing solutions, modeled and ranked: the plan to reverse global warming is already here.
by Paul Hawken 2017
4.40
4k+ ratings
The Death and Life of Great American Cities
by Jane Jacobs • 1961
Slums with low crime and safe sidewalks: the invisible logic cities follow when planners look away.
4.29
20k+
The Death and Life of Great American Cities Summary
The Death and Life of Great American Cities 89%
Slums with low crime and safe sidewalks: the invisible logic cities follow when planners look away.
by Jane Jacobs 1961
4.29
20k+ ratings
Life After Cars
by Sarah Goodyear • 2025
The cost of car dependency is hidden in plain sight. What happens when we build for people instead?
4.26
1k+
Life After Cars Summary
Life After Cars 89%
The cost of car dependency is hidden in plain sight. What happens when we build for people instead?
by Sarah Goodyear 2025
4.26
1k+ ratings
Road to Nowhere
by Paris Marx • 2022
The tech-driven transportation future is a dead end. The real fix: fewer cars, better transit.
4.16
643
Road to Nowhere Summary
Road to Nowhere 89%
The tech-driven transportation future is a dead end. The real fix: fewer cars, better transit.
by Paris Marx 2022
4.16
643 ratings
The Rescue Effect
by Michael Mehta Webster • 2022
Species have hidden backup systems that kick in under stress. The best conservation helps them work.
3.94
52
The Rescue Effect Summary
The Rescue Effect 89%
Species have hidden backup systems that kick in under stress. The best conservation helps them work.
by Michael Mehta Webster 2022
3.94
52 ratings
A Life on Our Planet
by David Attenborough • 2020
Half of all wild animals vanished in one lifetime. The way back requires more than cutting carbon.
4.50
35k+
A Life on Our Planet Summary
A Life on Our Planet 89%
Half of all wild animals vanished in one lifetime. The way back requires more than cutting carbon.
by David Attenborough 2020
4.50
35k+ ratings
Under a White Sky
by Elizabeth Kolbert • 2021
Every environmental solution spawns a new problem. The next ones alter genes and block the sun.
4.10
13k+
Under a White Sky Summary
Under a White Sky 89%
Every environmental solution spawns a new problem. The next ones alter genes and block the sun.
by Elizabeth Kolbert 2021
4.10
13k+ ratings
Raising Hare
by Chloe Dalton • 2025
She rescued a palm-sized leveret. It rewilded her life and was never once tame.
4.28
43k+
Raising Hare Summary
Raising Hare 89%
She rescued a palm-sized leveret. It rewilded her life and was never once tame.
by Chloe Dalton 2025
4.28
43k+ ratings
Building and Dwelling
by Richard Sennett • 2018
A city is two things: physical form and lived experience. Ethical design puts the second first.
4.02
983
Building and Dwelling Summary
Building and Dwelling 89%
A city is two things: physical form and lived experience. Ethical design puts the second first.
by Richard Sennett 2018
4.02
983 ratings
Grass, Soil, Hope
by Courtney White • 2014
Carbon is not the enemy: the ranchers and farmers burying it to save the climate.
4.04
168
Grass, Soil, Hope Summary
Grass, Soil, Hope 89%
Carbon is not the enemy: the ranchers and farmers burying it to save the climate.
by Courtney White 2014
4.04
168 ratings
A Year of Living Simply
by Kate Humble • 2024
Owning less, fixing more, knowing your neighbors: a year of discovering what enough feels like.
3.71
2k+
A Year of Living Simply Summary
A Year of Living Simply 88%
Owning less, fixing more, knowing your neighbors: a year of discovering what enough feels like.
by Kate Humble 2024
3.71
2k+ ratings
Movement Matters
by Katy Bowman • 2016
Movement is biology, not exercise. The true cost of outsourcing it reaches beyond your body.
4.28
850
Movement Matters Summary
Movement Matters 88%
Movement is biology, not exercise. The true cost of outsourcing it reaches beyond your body.
by Katy Bowman 2016
4.28
850 ratings
On Looking
by Alexandra Horowitz • 2013
The same city block holds eleven unseen worlds. A walk with those who can see them.
3.51
5k+
On Looking Summary
On Looking 88%
The same city block holds eleven unseen worlds. A walk with those who can see them.
by Alexandra Horowitz 2013
3.51
5k+ ratings
Medicine Wheel for the Planet
by Jennifer Grenz • 2024
Restoration ecology worships a pristine past. Land actually heals through kinship, not conquest.
4.31
558
Medicine Wheel for the Planet Summary
Medicine Wheel for the Planet 88%
Restoration ecology worships a pristine past. Land actually heals through kinship, not conquest.
by Jennifer Grenz 2024
4.31
558 ratings
Vital Little Plans
by Jane Jacobs • 2016
Top-down planning kills cities. The sidewalk sees what the drafting table never will.
4.21
186
Vital Little Plans Summary
Vital Little Plans 88%
Top-down planning kills cities. The sidewalk sees what the drafting table never will.
by Jane Jacobs 2016
4.21
186 ratings
Triumph of the City
by Edward L. Glaeser • 2011
Poverty flocks to cities because cities are the escape route. The economic case for density.
3.91
6k+
Triumph of the City Summary
Triumph of the City 88%
Poverty flocks to cities because cities are the escape route. The economic case for density.
by Edward L. Glaeser 2011
3.91
6k+ ratings
Radical Cities
by Justin McGuirk • 2014
The slums and squatter towers of Latin America are the world's most daring urban experiments.
4.27
434
Radical Cities Summary
Radical Cities 88%
The slums and squatter towers of Latin America are the world's most daring urban experiments.
by Justin McGuirk 2014
4.27
434 ratings
The Great Inversion and the Future of the American City
by Alan Ehrenhalt • 2012
American metros are inverting: affluence returns downtown, immigrants settle the suburbs.
3.77
678
The Great Inversion and the Future of the American City Summary
The Great Inversion and the Future of the American City 88%
American metros are inverting: affluence returns downtown, immigrants settle the suburbs.
by Alan Ehrenhalt 2012
3.77
678 ratings
Four Lost Cities
by Annalee Newitz • 2021
Lost cities didn't vanish; their people walked away when rulers chose monuments over working sewers.
3.78
7k+
Four Lost Cities Summary
Four Lost Cities 88%
Lost cities didn't vanish; their people walked away when rulers chose monuments over working sewers.
by Annalee Newitz 2021
3.78
7k+ ratings
From What Is to What If
by Rob Hopkins • 2019
Our collective imagination is collapsing. The remedy: less screen time, more play, better questions.
4.31
1k+
From What Is to What If Summary
From What Is to What If 88%
Our collective imagination is collapsing. The remedy: less screen time, more play, better questions.
by Rob Hopkins 2019
4.31
1k+ ratings
Nomad Century
by Gaia Vince • 2022
The tropics are becoming unlivable. A mass migration northward is an opportunity, not a crisis.
3.84
1k+
Nomad Century Summary
Nomad Century 88%
The tropics are becoming unlivable. A mass migration northward is an opportunity, not a crisis.
by Gaia Vince 2022
3.84
1k+ ratings
The Smart Enough City
by Ben Green • 2019
Smart cities dress up political problems as engineering ones. The fix is governance, not gadgets.
4.12
208
The Smart Enough City Summary
The Smart Enough City 88%
Smart cities dress up political problems as engineering ones. The fix is governance, not gadgets.
by Ben Green 2019
4.12
208 ratings
Last Child in the Woods
by Richard Louv • 2005
Childhood went indoors in a generation. What was lost isn't nostalgia; it's measurable and physical.
3.92
15k+
Last Child in the Woods Summary
Last Child in the Woods 88%
Childhood went indoors in a generation. What was lost isn't nostalgia; it's measurable and physical.
by Richard Louv 2005
3.92
15k+ ratings
Coyote America
by Dan Flores • 2016
America's century-long war on coyotes failed so completely they now roam downtown Chicago.
4.08
8k+
Coyote America Summary
Coyote America 88%
America's century-long war on coyotes failed so completely they now roam downtown Chicago.
by Dan Flores 2016
4.08
8k+ ratings
The Permaculture Garden
by Graham Bell • 1994
A garden that hardly needs you: design it like a forest once, harvest for decades.
3.88
103
The Permaculture Garden Summary
The Permaculture Garden 88%
A garden that hardly needs you: design it like a forest once, harvest for decades.
by Graham Bell 1994
3.88
103 ratings
A Life in Nature
by Marc Hamer • 2019
A molecatcher's memoir: what a lifetime of killing teaches about nature, loss, and wild belonging.
4.16
2k+
A Life in Nature Summary
A Life in Nature 88%
A molecatcher's memoir: what a lifetime of killing teaches about nature, loss, and wild belonging.
by Marc Hamer 2019
4.16
2k+ ratings
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