Though a dissertation on the finer points of urban planning perhaps usually would not be viewed as light reading for a general audience, Elizabeth Currid's surprisingly entertaining and accessible fresh take on the sparkle of New York City is the exception to this rule. Armed with a wide variety of data needed to destroy the increasingly outdated notion that Wall Street should get all the credit for making New York the thriving metropolis it is, Currid's manifesto on the contributions of culture and nightlife is energetically delivered in the voice of Jennifer Van Dyck.

Van Dyck blends gossipy demystification of the city's network of creativity with a graceful assurance that comes from knowing all facts point to Currid's conclusion. There is no alienating terminology here. The author weaves an intricate and intimate portrait of New York's real foundations by culling the best moments from her series of interviews with bizarre and famous artists who are indisputably in the know. From graffiti artists to fashion designers to rock bands, Van Dyck renders these colorful characters and amusing anecdotes with a scientific simplicity, validating the conclusion they drive home again and again.

Currid's reevaluation of the matrix of social and creative connections that is truly responsible for making New York one of the greatest cities on earth ends with a series of concrete suggestions for policymakers interested to preserve this rich cultural heritage, or at least stop stomping it out. Van Dyck explains these recommendations with an appropriate dose of bitterness stemming from the harsh reality that those greedy and inept tycoons receive billions in bailout funds while an iconic taste-making club like CBGB is allowed to perish without the slightest helping hand from government. There are many various reasons this book is worth a listen: whether you're looking for the cutting edge in urban planning, or you like to hear glamorous tales of who knows who and how, or you just love New York City, Van Dyck's narration of Currid's excellent cultural treatise will not disappoint. —Megan Volpert