I’m sure I once had a copy of [amazon_link id=”039470584X” target=”_blank” ]The Economy of Cities[/amazon_link] by Jane Jacobs, but when my son asked to borrow it, I couldn’t find it. So I ordered a 2nd hand one from Abe and it just arrived – can’t do without one on the bookshelf. (No doubt the other copy will turn up soon….)

There’s a great quote from [amazon_link id=”0713999772″ target=”_blank” ]Herodotus[/amazon_link] to start with:

“I will tell the story as I go along of small cities no less than of great. Most of those which were great once are small today; and those which in my own lifetime have grown to greatness, were small enough in the old days.”