Drawing on numerous studies, personal narratives, census figures and other statistical data, Short (geography and public policy, U. of Maryland, Baltimore County) chronicles the steady rise of urbanization, the increasing suburbanization and the sweeping metropolitanization of the US. He focuses on the forces behind these shifts, such as the role played by the public sector in shaping the character of cities, and considers in detail the consequences of these changes on American communities. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)