Příběhy velkých měst – Norwich John Julius (2019)

From the beginnings of urbanization in Mesopotamia to today's global metropolises, large cities have been a hallmark of the development of human civilization. The book 'Stories of Great Cities' tells their stories starting from ancient times, from Uruk and Memphis to Jerusalem and Alexandria. It continues with cities of the first millennium, from Damascus and Baghdad through Teotihuacán and Tikal to Constantinople and Chang'an. During the Middle Ages, cities such as Paris in Europe, Benin in Africa, and Angkor in Southeast Asia flourished. The penultimate section introduces readers to the beginnings of the modern world, including Prague, Amsterdam, and Mexico City, while the last section covers the era of modern cities with London, Tokyo, and São Paulo. More than 50 significant contributors bring the character of each place closer to the reader – its inhabitants, architecture, and art, as well as its rulers – and explain the reasons for its success. The book, accompanied by 51 photographs, drawings, maps, and plans, is essentially a portrait of world civilization.