Each city is given a chapter's worth of facts, explanations, backgrounds, and stories of what their respective importance was to the world at a certain part of time.
In his introduction, Wilson asks the reader to remember these basic principles when looking at these cities: "1-Cities are objects in the world that can be found. 2-Cities, like the men and women that live in them, have life spans, and that life span is approximately 250 years. 3-Cities are moral agents. 4-Cities are loved by their sons and daughters. 5-Cities are the world." With these principles in mind, it is easy to understand how Douglas Wilson could present these 5 cities as he does. Also, Wilson does suggest that there are summarizations and generalizations about each city, for example, that Jerusalem taught us the importance of spirit; Athens, thinking and reason; Rome, the importance of law; London, literature; and New York business and commerce. These are also presented in his introduction, so going into this book, there is no misunderstanding that each city is categorized in one way.
I found the book very deep, in facts and in presentation. I could tell that Mr. Wilson is very passionate about the history of each city, and how we can learn from successes and failures of the cities.
I had a hard time keeping up with some of the things that were presented, but that is from my lack of understanding, not at all with anything Douglas Wilson presented.
I believe this is a great book for history buffs, and for those that are interested in learning about the 5 cities place in the world's history.
I am a member of the Thomas Nelson's Book Review Blogger's program, which can be found at
Thank you, and enjoy.
