Whether it is an anonymous apartment tower or an eyecatching corporate headquarters Jason Barr will tell you that the bottom line is why it was built. As an economist Barr looks at cities with a perspective not everyone shares. His main thesis is that tall buildings are constructed because they are useful and economically viable. He sets out to explain by surveying the history and growth patterns of a handful of cities around the world. Some embrace density and height. In others one or several competing forces shape the environment. It’s a really interesting book whether you find yourself in agreement or opposition to Barr’s arguments.

Why do we love skyscrapers so much? Jason Barr explores the economics behind some of the world's tallest buildings and gets into why we are compelled to keep building. The story begins with the first skyscrapers in Chicago and covers the rise of New York City and London's late entry into the world of unique architecture. Barr also looks at the creation of Dubai and the next wave of planned utopias. Barr is an economist and professor who takes a no-nonsense approach to these glamorous buildings and leaves readers with a greater understanding of the cities they live in.

Solid And Seemingly Comprehensive Examination Of The Topic. This is a book that takes a look at the ever-evolving quest to build the world's tallest skyscrapers, from its origins in the 19th century (and the debate over who first created what) all the way through Summer 2023, when the book was being written. Along the way we learn of various periods of American skyscraper construction - yes, including Sears Tower, the Empire State Building, the World Trade Center towers, and others. But we *also* get just as detailed a view of skyscraper construction in other areas of the world and how each builds on advances in the other locations as time progresses. We visit the Middle East and learn of its mega projects. We visit Hong Kong in both the Colonial and Chinese eras. We visit Taiwan and China and see how their standoff plays out in their construction efforts. Along the way, we get the histories and economics of how and why such structures are wanted and what makes them profitable - hint, it isn't always the rents they generate from tenants. We even get a solid examination of the arguments for and against such structures, along with the (seemingly requisite in this type of book) predictions for the future and a few suggestions for how to make those predictions become reality.

Overall truly an interesting book, well written for the average reader - yes, there is some jargon, but Barr does a solid job of using it sparingly and explaining it reasonably well when he does. Also reasonably well documented, clocking in at 20% of the text of the Advance Review Copy edition I read.

Very much recommended.