The City: The Basics provides a brief yet compelling overview of the study of cities and city life. The book draws on a range of perspectives - economic, political, cultural, and environmental aspects are all considered - to provide a broad comparison of the evolution of cities in the rich Global North and the poorer Global South. Topics covered in the book include:

a brief history of cities from ancient times to the post-modern present
the differences between "global cities" in the North and "megacities" in the South
the environmental impact of urban life and the idea of sustainable cities
urban planning, urban politics and urban poverty.

Featuring suggestions for further reading, recommended websites and a number of maps and illustrations, this is the ideal starting point for those interested in any aspect of cities or urban studies.