Behind the Gates: Life, Security and the Pursuit of Happiness in Fortress America

Rating:
Summary: A fascinating social study, and very highly recommended
Review: Expertly researched and informatively written by Setha Low (Professor of Anthropology and Environmental Psychology at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York), Behind The Gates: Life, Security, And The Pursuit Of Happiness In Fortress America is an impressive and scholarly study of the gated communities phenomena. The gated commu-nity is the fastest-growing form of housing in the United States. Individual chapters address the origin of the gated community; its emphases on safety and fear of crime; as well as a means of enhancing property values, and promoting insularity -- yet the ironic results are that gated communities are statistically no safer than the suburbs in general. A fascinating social study, and very highly recommended reading for anyone seriously concerned about the trend toward gated communities or seriously considering moving to one, Behind The Gates is a welcome and original contribution to American Urban Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.