{"product_id":"cities-from-scratch-poverty-and-informality-in-urban-latin-america","title":"Cities From Scratch: Poverty and Informality in Urban Latin America","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Cities From Scratch: Poverty and Informality in Urban Latin America, the authors compile essays that rethink common assumptions about Latin American shantytowns. This collection is for readers who want a nuanced, historically grounded picture of informal neighborhoods and their political, economic, and social roles; the single biggest reason to read it is its refusal to reduce these communities to stereotypes of crime or passive poverty. The essays show how informal settlements are durable, multifaceted, and central to debates about democratization, identity, and urban change.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInterdisciplinary essays:\u003c\/strong\u003e Multiple contributors offer varied historical and social perspectives that together broaden understanding of informal neighborhoods.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocus on durability:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book emphasizes how shantytowns persist as permanent elements of urban society rather than transient anomalies.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePolitical and cultural framing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Essays connect informal settlements to democratization and identity politics, showing their civic importance beyond economic explanations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRegional emphasis:\u003c\/strong\u003e The collection concentrates on urban Latin America, giving readers a targeted look at South American and broader Americas contexts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCritical revisionism:\u003c\/strong\u003e The contributors challenge long-entrenched narratives about crime, development, and the culture of poverty with historical evidence.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis collection is best for graduate students, scholars, and informed general readers interested in urban history, Latin American studies, or social policy who want a deeper, evidence-based view of informal settlements. It is especially useful for those researching democratization, urban inequality, and grassroots political life in cities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking a practical how-to guide for urban planning or a light popular history may find the essays denser and more academic than expected; those looking for contemporary policy toolkits or brief magazine-style reporting should look elsewhere.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOffers a sustained, scholarly challenge to simplistic portrayals of shantytowns and their causes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrings together historical and social science approaches to illuminate long-term urban processes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHighlights the political and cultural roles of informal neighborhoods, expanding typical development-focused narratives.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe essay collection is scholarly in tone, which may be less accessible to casual readers seeking a concise overview.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCities From Scratch: Poverty and Informality in Urban Latin America\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBrodwyn Fischer, Bryan McCann, Javier Auyero\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFormat\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEssay collection \/ edited volume\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eInformal neighborhoods, urban history, Latin America\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGeographic focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUrban Latin America (Americas, South America)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMain themes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePoverty, informality, democratization, identity politics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCities From Scratch is a thoughtful, well-argued collection that reframes how scholars and informed readers understand informal urban life in Latin America. It is a strong value for anyone seeking rigorous historical and political analysis of shantytowns and their role in broader social change, though its academic tone may limit casual readership.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book focus on policy prescriptions?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnswer. The collection emphasizes historical and social analysis rather than offering step-by-step policy prescriptions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the geographic focus limited to a single country?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnswer. No; the essays concentrate on urban Latin America as a region, with attention to South American contexts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho are the editors and contributors?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnswer. The volume is edited and authored by scholars including Brodwyn Fischer, Bryan McCann, and Javier Auyero, bringing interdisciplinary perspectives.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Brodwyn Fischer, Bryan McCann, Javier Auyero","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48759449026779,"sku":"0822355183","price":144.17,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/81gUxPYBLbL._SL1500.jpg?v=1778417151","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/cities-from-scratch-poverty-and-informality-in-urban-latin-america","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}