"Gordon Cullen, as an urbanist, was for me an influential figure - even before I was a student of architecture. Here, in this book of his memoirs, he crosses the Atlantic in a 1961 time warp to combine acerbic observations with his mastery trade mark sketches. We are reminded of the importance of a civic conscience and the power of the pencil." Norman Foster, founder and chairman of Foster + Partners "Through meticulous archival research, this book reveals not only that scholarly engagement with Cullen remains far from complete, but also the potential--perhaps the urgent need--to revisit his thinking today. In an age increasingly shaped by digital tools that make our connection to physical reality every day more fragile, Cullen's masterly use of the hand-drawn sketch and his focus on the sensory and spatial perception of urban environments feel more relevant than ever." Dr. Marco Iuliano , Reader in Architecture, University of Liverpool "This unearthed manuscript from the archive - unpublished until now - offers a visceral glimpse into Cullen's analysis of the American city through the application of his celebrated Townscape methodology. Providing a critical, human-centred perspective that laments the gridiron's 'placelessness' and monumental planning, it advocates for people-focused cities and a sense of place.

Richly illustrated with Cullen's distinctive sketches and photographs, this engaging work of 'urban psychiatry, ' which the four accompanying essays expertly contextualise, is essential reading for understanding Cullen's legacy and offers new insights into the critical urban discourse of the postwar era." Dr. Stephen Parnell , Senior Lecturer in Architecture, Newcastle University.