{"product_id":"9781625343574","title":"Concrete Changes","description":"\u003cp\u003eFrom the 1950s to the end of the twentieth century, Boston transformed from a city in freefall into a thriving metropolis, as modern glass skyscrapers sprouted up in the midst of iconic brick rowhouses. After decades of corruption and graft, a new generation of politicians swept into office, seeking to revitalize Boston through large-scale urban renewal projects. The most important of these was a new city hall, which they hoped would project a bold vision of civic participation. The massive Brutalist building that was unveiled in 1962 stands apart -- emblematic of the city's rebirth through avant-garde design.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAnd yet Boston City Hall frequently ranks among the country's ugliest buildings. Concrete Changes seeks to answer a common question for contemporary viewers: How did this happen? In a lively narrative filled with big personalities and newspaper accounts, Brian M. Sirman argues that this structure is more than a symbol of Boston's modernization; it acted as a catalyst for political, social, and economic change.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hopkins Fulfillment Services","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47038161518832,"sku":"9781625343574","price":22.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781625343574_p0.jpg?v=1763862406","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781625343574","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}