Marseille, Port to Port

Marseille, France's second-largest city, is a captivating place with a rich history and diverse population. Despite its charm, it struggles with corruption and crime. William Kornblum, an urban sociologist, explores the city with writers, scholars, activists, and ordinary people, discussing its political, social, and environmental challenges. The book offers a thoughtful portrait of the city and its citizens.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 21 June 2022
Publisher: Columbia University Press

Marseille, the sunny second city of France, is a beguiling place that beckons to urban wanderers and anyone enthralled by the multiplicity of cities. With its ancient streets that tell stories of fires, plagues, wars, decay, and regrowth, Marseille has welcomed waves of people from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, who have found homes for themselves. While the city hosts visitors from around the world, France's social and political fault lines are on full display. Despite its charm, Marseille struggles to overcome its reputation for corruption and crime.

In his book, "Marseille: A Changing City," urban sociologist William Kornblum invites readers on an exploration of this dynamic city. Blending travelogue and social observation, Kornblum roams Marseilles neighborhoods and regions in the company of writers, scholars, activists, and ordinary people. Through his character sketches and the stories his guides tell, the living history of the city comes through.

Relishing Marseille's coasts and crags and reveling in its rich maritime culture, Kornblum and his companions discuss the political, social, and environmental challenges the city faces. They also draw connections with Kornblum's hometown, New York City, which, like Marseille, is a deindustrialized port city increasingly dependent on the production and consumption of culture.

Offering a captivating and thoughtful portrait of the city and its citizens, "Marseille: A Changing City" is for all readers who have ever wondered what makes Marseille so distinctive.

Weight: 260g
Dimension: 140 x 213 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231205078