Prophetic City

“Essential … A long overdue urban biography … Engaging and accessible.” —The Houston Chronicle“A trailblazing study … Klineberg supports his case with a wealth of survey research, interviews with experts, and user-friendly graphs, all of which make this book invaluable for anyone seeking a deep understanding of an underappreciated city. A unique blend of analysis and research that is likely to become a classic work of scholarship on Houston.” —Kirkus (starred review)“A fascinating portrait of Houston … A must-read, highly recommended sociological perspective of America’s future.” —Library Journal (starred review)“A detailed, accessible portrait of the changing face of Houston.” —New Yorker“[A] layered, nuanced history of this ever-evolving city.” —Texas Observer“Klineberg’s meticulous research makes a strong case that Houston, with its growing inequalities, demographic shift to a nonwhite majority, and rising social and environmental consciousness, is at the forefront of America’s future. This eye-opening and accessible study deserves a wide readership.” —Publishers Weekly“An excellent new book on Houston … Particularly well-timed to our current moment … What Klineberg does beautifully in this book is to show that the challenges that Houston is grappling with today will be the challenges that the rest of us will be facing tomorrow.” —Inside Higher Ed“It’s a relief to read a book where Houston isn’t just the backdrop—it’s the story… . Critical reading for anyone interested in the Bayou City.” —Texas Monthly

Stephen Klineberg, a graduate of Haverford College, with an MA from the University of Paris and a PhD from Harvard, is the founding director of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research, a multi-disciplinary “think-and-do tank” housed on the Rice University campus in central Houston, working to advance understanding of the most important issues facing Houston and other leading urban centers. Klineberg joined Rice University’s Sociology Department in 1972, and in 1982 he and his students initiated the annual Houston Area Survey, now in its 38th year of tracking the remarkable changes in the demographic patterns, economic outlooks, experiences, attitudes, and beliefs of Harris County residents.

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