Skip to content

The Works: Anatomy of a City
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Works: Anatomy of a City Paperback - 2007

by Kate Ascher

Offering a cross section of hidden infrastructure, this title uses innovative graphic images and clear text explanations to answer questions about the way things work in a modern city.


Summary

Read Kate Ascher's posts on the Penguin Blog.

A fascinating guided tour of the ways things work in a modern city

Have you ever wondered how the water in your faucet gets there? Where your garbage goes? What the pipes under city streets do? How bananas from Ecuador get to your local market? Why radiators in apartment buildings clang? Using New York City as its point of reference, The Works takes readers down manholes and behind the scenes to explain exactly how an urban infrastructure operates. Deftly weaving text and graphics, author Kate Ascher explores the systems that manage water, traffic, sewage and garbage, subways, electricity, mail, and much more. Full of fascinating facts and anecdotes, The Works gives readers a unique glimpse at what lies behind and beneath urban life in the twenty-first century.

From the publisher

A fascinating guided tour of the ways things work in a modern city "It's a rare person who won't find something of interest in The Works, whether it's an explanation of how a street-sweeper works or the view of what's down a manhole." --New York Post

Have you ever wondered how the water in your faucet gets there? Where your garbage goes? What the pipes under city streets do? How bananas from Ecuador get to your local market? Why radiators in apartment buildings clang? Using New York City as its point of reference, The Works takes readers down manholes and behind the scenes to explain exactly how an urban infrastructure operates. Deftly weaving text and graphics, author Kate Ascher explores the systems that manage water, traffic, sewage and garbage, subways, electricity, mail, and much more. Full of fascinating facts and anecdotes, The Works gives readers a unique glimpse at what lies behind and beneath urban life in the twenty-first century.

First line

New York city is a city of streets.

Details

  • Title The Works: Anatomy of a City
  • Author Kate Ascher
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition [ Edition: First
  • Pages 240
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Penguin Books, New York, NY
  • Date 2007-12-01
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Illustrated, Index, Price on Product - Canadian, Table of Contents
  • ISBN 9780143112709 / 0143112708
  • Weight 1.92 lbs (0.87 kg)
  • Dimensions 10.78 x 8.46 x 0.6 in (27.38 x 21.49 x 1.52 cm)
  • Ages 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Themes
    • Cultural Region: Mid-Atlantic
    • Cultural Region: Northeast U.S.
    • Demographic Orientation: Urban
    • Geographic Orientation: New York
    • Locality: New York, N.Y.
  • Library of Congress subjects City planning, Infrastructure (Economics)
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2005048915
  • Dewey Decimal Code 307.121

Media reviews

"The Works is both a reference guide and a geeky pleasure."
-Time Out New York

"It's a rare person who won't find something of interest in The Works, whether it's an explanation of how a street-sweeper works or the view of what's down a manhole."
-New York Post

About the author

Kate Ascher serves on the faculty of Columbia University's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation and manages Happold Consulting's U.S. practice. Prior to taking up her current positions, she worked at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the New York City Economic Development Corporation, and Vornado Realty Trust. Her other books include The Heights: Anatomy of a Skyscraper and The Way to Go: Moving by Sea, Land, and Air.
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

The Works: Anatomy of a City
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Works: Anatomy of a City

by Ascher, Kate

  • Used
Condition
UsedGood
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143112709 / 0143112708
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Annandale, New Jersey, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$2.99
$3.99 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
UsedGood. Fast shipping and order satisfaction guaranteed. A portion of your purchase benefits Non-Profit Organizations, First Aid and Fire Stations!
Item Price
$2.99
$3.99 shipping to USA
The Works : Anatomy of a City
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Works : Anatomy of a City

by Ascher, Kate

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143112709 / 0143112708
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Dunfermline, Fife, United Kingdom
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.52
$10.00 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Very Good. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects.
Item Price
$6.52
$10.00 shipping to USA
The Works : Anatomy of a City
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Works : Anatomy of a City

by Ascher, Kate

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143112709 / 0143112708
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Dunfermline, Fife, United Kingdom
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.52
$10.00 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Very Good. Ships from the UK. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects.
Item Price
$6.52
$10.00 shipping to USA
The Works : Anatomy of a City
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Works : Anatomy of a City

by Ascher, Kate

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143112709 / 0143112708
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.90
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
$7.90
FREE shipping to USA
The Works: Anatomy of a City
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Works: Anatomy of a City

by Ascher, Kate

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used: Good
Edition
Illustrated
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143112709 / 0143112708
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$9.79
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 2007-11-27. Illustrated. paperback. Used: Good.
Item Price
$9.79
FREE shipping to USA
The Works: Anatomy of a City

The Works: Anatomy of a City

by Ascher, Kate

  • Used
  • very good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143112709 / 0143112708
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Tequesta, Florida, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$10.39
$4.96 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 2007-11-27. Paperback. Very Good. 10x8x0. This Book is in Very Good condition.All items ship within 24 hours. Packaging is 100% Recyclable. Most items purchased from Charitable organizations. A portion of each sale is also donated to a monthly charity, check your package for this months charity. Reuse-Recycle-Rebook!
Item Price
$10.39
$4.96 shipping to USA
The Works: Anatomy of a City
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Works: Anatomy of a City

by Ascher, Kate

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143112709 / 0143112708
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Staten Island, New York, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$16.54
$4.99 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 2007-11-27. Paperback. New. 0.7087 in x 10.7087 in x 8.2677 in. This is a trade paperback
Item Price
$16.54
$4.99 shipping to USA
The Works: Anatomy of a City
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Works: Anatomy of a City

by Ascher, Kate

  • New
Condition
New
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143112709 / 0143112708
Quantity Available
14
Seller
Benton Harbor, Michigan, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$16.69
$3.99 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books. New. BRAND NEW, GIFT QUALITY! NOT OVERSTOCKS OR MARKED UP REMAINDERS! DIRECT FROM THE PUBLISHER!
Item Price
$16.69
$3.99 shipping to USA
The Works: Anatomy of a City
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Works: Anatomy of a City

by Ascher, Kate

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143112709 / 0143112708
Quantity Available
777
Seller
Fairfax Station, Virginia, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$17.98
$3.99 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 2007-11-27. Paperback. New.
Item Price
$17.98
$3.99 shipping to USA
The Works: Anatomy of a City
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Works: Anatomy of a City

by Kate Ascher

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used:Good
Edition
Reprint
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143112709 / 0143112708
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$19.98
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 2007-11-27. Reprint. Paperback. Used:Good.
Item Price
$19.98
FREE shipping to USA