Adapted from the Emmy-winning, multimedia interactive documentary of the same name, Highrise is an in-depth exploration of the world's highrises and the people who live inside them.
From the multi-story dwellings of Ancient Rome to the soaring glass skyscrapers of today, humans have used highrises for thousands of years to house the poor, protect the rich and sometimes narrow the gap between the two. Highrise first examines the history of vertical living in a 20-page chapter on the origins, technological triumphs, social failures and future of the highrise. The book then invites young readers into homes around the world. Through the lens of the highrise, readers will learn about 10 cities and hear stories that capture what life is like in these diverse places.
The cities featured in Highrise: Ramallah, West Bank; Mumbai, India; Guangzhou, China; Chicago, USA; Tainan, Taiwan; Johannesburg, South Africa; Toronto, Canada; Amsterdam, Netherlands; Prague, Czech Republic; San Cristobal, Venezuela.
In addition to being windows on different cultures and experiences, the stories from these cities cover important and, at times, challenging issues that residents must face - from a young mother in the West Bank who cannot visit her parents in Gaza, to an LGBTQ activist in China who must hide her sexual orientation from her family. Highrise is a bold and unique volume that illuminates life on our urban planet like never before.
