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The 99% Invisible City

A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design
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( 6,957 ratings, 966 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The 99% Invisible City by Roman Mars and Kurt Kohlstedt explores the unnoticed and fascinating aspects of urban design and architecture. Through engaging stories and observations, the book reveals the hidden elements that shape our cities and daily lives. Suitable for anyone curious about the secrets behind cityscapes, this travel & adventure book provides a deeper appreciation for the urban environment.
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Format: Hardback
$6000
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you have a keen interest in the hidden designs and overlooked details of urban life. Perfect for curious minds, it uncovers fascinating stories behind the everyday elements of cities, from architecture to infrastructure.

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The 99% Invisible City

An alternative guide to the hidden everyday objects in a city, from the hugely successful podcast 99% Invisible

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
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The 99% Invisible City by Roman Mars and Kurt Kohlstedt

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The 99% Invisible City offers an enchanting exploration into the hidden realm of urban design, architecture, and the unnoticed elements that make city life function seamlessly. From squiggly graffiti marks on the pavement to the stories behind street names, this book uncovers the intricate layers of the urban landscape that many of us overlook daily. It's a deep dive into the invisible underpinnings that shape our experiences and interactions with cities, regardless of where we live.

Perfectly complementing the wildly popular 99% Invisible podcast, this book is a treasure trove for design enthusiasts, urbanists, and curious minds. With each meticulously researched entry and beautiful illustrations throughout, The 99% Invisible City shines a light on the small-seeming, mundane details that reveal the rich tapestry of urban life. Expect to be captivated by tales of power grids, fire escapes, street signs, and drinking fountains, all intricately woven to tell the story of how cities operate and the creative minds behind their design.

A New York Times Bestseller

'Full of surprises and quirky information . . . a fascinating journey through the over-familiar.' - Financial Times, Best Books of 2020

'[A] diverse and enlightening book . . . The 99% Invisible City is altogether fresh and imaginative when it comes to thinking about urban spaces.' -The New York Times Book Review

'A delightful book about the under-appreciated wonders of good design' - Tim Harford, bestselling author of The Undercover Economist and Fifty Things that Made the Modern Economy

'99% Invisible goes deep on the design and architecture we tend to overlook - this is it in glorious guidebook form . . . fascinating.' -Wired

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This is 99% Invisible.

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Have you ever wondered what those brightly coloured, squiggly graffiti marks on the pavement mean?

Or stopped to ponder who has the authority to name the streets we travel each day?

Or what the story is behind those dancing inflatable figures often seen at car dealerships?

99% Invisible is a celebration of the big ideas behind seemingly small phenomena, uncovering the stories baked into the buildings we inhabit, the streets we drive, and the sidewalks we traverse. The show promotes a deeper appreciation for design and architecture in all of its deliberate utility and accidental comedy, featuring engrossing tales of designers and the everyday people influenced by their work.

Now, in The 99% Invisible City: A Field Guide to Hidden World of Everyday Design, host Roman Mars and co-author Kurt Kohlstedt scrutinise the countless elements that make our cities tick. They delve into the origins and fascinating backstories of everything from power grids and fire escapes to public fountains and street signs. This beautifully crafted guidebook, enriched with extensive research and exquisite line drawings, is sure to enchant longtime listeners of the podcast as well as new readers intrigued by design, urban environments, and the overlooked marvels that surround us.

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You are about to discover hidden stories in every corner of your city. Now get out there and explore, you beautiful nerd.

'If you've ever wondered why our world is the way it is, this show has your answers' -The Hustle

'99% Invisible...is completely wonderful and entertaining and beautifully produced.'

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The 99% Invisible City unveils the hidden and intriguing aspects of urban environments, transforming the way readers perceive cityscapes. Reviews praise it as a captivating and enlightening guide, perfect for city enthusiasts who wish to discover the secrets behind everyday urban elements. Readers find it both educational and transformative, with Roman Mars and Kurt Kohlstedt providing a fresh perspective on urban life.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781529355277

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 06 October 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Hodder & Stoughton

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 30.0mm

Width: 182.0mm

Height: 232.0mm

Weight: 1200g

Pages: 400

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About the Author

Roman Mars (Author)

Roman Mars is creator and host of 99% Invisible, the wildly popular podcast exploring architecture and design, for which he produced the most successful crowdfunding campaigns for a podcast in Kickstarter history. Fast Company named Mars one of the 100 Most Creative People in 2013 and he was a TED main stage speaker in 2015.

Kurt Kohlstedt (Author)

Kurt Kohlstedt has written about design and built environments for over a decade, since founding the online magazine WebUrbanist in 2007. He is digital director and producer of 99% Invisible.

99% Invisible (Author)

99% Invisible is a podcast about all the thought that goes into the things we don't think about - the unnoticed architecture and design that shape our world. With nearly 300 million downloads, 99% Invisible is one of the most popular podcasts in the world. It has won a Third Coast Festival award for Best Documentary, two Podcast Academy awards, and two Webby Awards for Best Podcast and Best Host.

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