'A profound enquiry into an urgent subject ... a brilliant book.' --Arundhati Roy

'The Raymond Chandler of urban geography ... a coruscating tragedy.' --Independent

'The astonishing facts hit like anvil blows ... A heartbreaking book.' --Financial Times

Mike Davis was a meat cutter and truck driver, as well as an activist for Students for a Democratic Society before starting his academic career. He is a recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship Award and the Lannan Literary Award. His many books on history and the city, including the bestselling City of Quartz, have been critically acclaimed across the world.