“Urban historical scholarship at its best.”

Journal of the American Planning Association

“Freeman has crafted an original book that adds fundamentally to our knowledge of twentieth-century housing in the United States. Garden apartments, never before the focus of significant study, prove a fascinating vehicle to study housing policy across twentieth-century America.”

Ann Durkin Keating, author of “Chicago Neighborhoods and Suburbs: A Historical Guide”

“Another superlative study from a master historian. Freeman takes us on a kaleidoscopic journey through the political, social, and architectural histories of multifamily public, private, and cooperative housing initiatives in Europe and the United States. Along the way, he introduces us to a remarkable group of left-leaning architects and visionary reformers whose goal was to provide affordable housing that nourished and sustained vibrant communities. Exhaustively researched, beautifully written, with abundant photos and illustrations, Freeman reminds us that there are times when we should look to the past for solutions to present-day problems.”

David Nasaw, author of “The Wounded Generation: Coming Home After World War II”

“Between McMansions and public housing projects, Freeman projects the unsung garden apartment complex as a viable model of both affordable housing and aspirational community. His careful excavation of government policies and architectural plans shows an important alternative to both massive demolition and ‘building big’ and makes a solid case for building for need rather than for profit.”

Sharon Zukin, author of “Naked City: The Death and Life of Authentic Urban Places”