In mid-twentieth century France; the term "social space" (lespace social) -- the idea that spatial form and social life are inextricably linked -- emerged in a variety of social science disciplines. Taken up by the French New Left; it also came to inform the practice of urban planning. In The View from Above; Jeanne Haffner traces the evolution of the science of social space from the interwar period to the 1970s; illuminating in particular the role of aerial photography in this new way of conceptualizing socio-spatial relations. As early as the 1930s; the view from above served for Marcel Griaule and other anthropologists as a means of connecting the social and the spatial. Just a few decades later; the Marxist urban sociologist Henri Lefebvre called the perspective enabled by aerial photography -- a technique closely associated with the French colonial state and military -- "the space of state control." Lefebvre and others nevertheless used the notion of social space to recast the problem of massive modernist housing projects (grands ensembles) to encompass the modern suburb (banlieue) itself -- a critique that has contemporary resonance in light of the banlieue riots of 2005 and 2007. Haffner shows how such "views" permitted new ways of conceptualizing the old problem of housing to emerge. She also points to broader issues; including the influence of the colonies on the metropole; the application of sociological expertise to the study of the built environment; and the development of a spatially oriented critique of capitalism.
#3022329 in eBooks 2013-12-19 2013-12-19File Name: B00HFTU9S2
Review
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful. I have been hoping for this book since I first decided to learn the 5 string banjo!By Owen C. MarshallMost of the populace is unaware of the banjos history with the blues. Bluegrass? Beyond a doubt. Country? Certainly. Folk. Fine. But; the blues? Every time I have told people that I wanted to learn the blues on the banjo; I have been met with mockery; derision; and disbelief.If you have similar desires; if you want to explore the range of this instrument beyond the common; or if you love the blues and want to learn it on a new instrument; you should consider this book.Fred Sokolow starts with basics; but he does seem to assume that the person using this book is not a total beginner. This is fine for me; since I would classify myself as intermediate; but it is something that the potential buyer should know. The first lesson involved playing some chords; and he does not actually show the fingering until a page or two later. Also; you should know how to read tablature; and should be aware that blues banjo is neither clawhammer; nor Scruggs style; but instead uses the thumb; index; middle; and ring fingers to pluck the strings.Anyway to continue; Sokolo begins with some basic rhythm strumming to the 12 bar and 8 bar blues. The I; IV; V chord progression. A basic minor blues scale. He writes is examples in both standard notation tablature. And best of all; the book comes with a code to allow the user to either listen to his examples online or to download them! This last quality is immensely useful. While I still use CDs for listening in my car; I find that the use of downloadable files /or cloud storage to be better for my current needs when practicing.Furthermore; this book promises to teach me what his previous banjo blues book (Ragtime; Jazz; Blues for Banjo) did not ... how to play my own licks and riffs and to improvise! The previous book gives a nice selection of music to learn from those styles; but what I really wanted to know what how to play along; not just build my repetoire. (Mind you; the aforementioned book is very good. I highly recommend it.)I have only had this book for about a week; but I already find myself in love. Thank you; Mr. Sokolow! Long may you play; and please keep these books coming!15 of 15 people found the following review helpful. and his efforts to illuminate blues playing on a 5-string banjo pay off nicely. My only complaintBy Patrick GarnerSokolow is a productive musician and writer. Hes written so many instructionals on so many musical topics I was somewhat leery about buying this; assuming it might have been dashed off. But instead; now that Ive lived with Blues Banjo for some time; Im grateful for the effort that went into making this book. It does a masterful job of introducing classic blues riffs and licks; as well as using accessible blues songs that walk a student through increasingly complicated examples. The recorded samples that come with the book are essential--I know theyve helped me affirm beat; speed and emphasis. So I have nothing but praise for this dude. He knows what he teaches; and his efforts to illuminate blues playing on a 5-string banjo pay off nicely. My only complaint? Fred; if youre listening; its time for a "Blues Banjo II" book!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Good book. I would have liked it better with ...By RobertGood book. I would have liked it better with a CD I could play in my car CD player instead of computer access. I would gladly payed more is thePrice had to be higher
