Palaces for the People

How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life

By: Eric Klinenberg

Narrated by: Rob Shapiro

“A comprehensive, entertaining, and compelling argument for how rebuilding social infrastructure can help heal divisions in our society and move us forward.” (Jon Stewart)

Named one of the best books of the year by NPR.

“Engaging.” (Mayor Pete Buttigieg, The New York Times Book Review, editors’ choice)

We are living in a time of deep divisions. Americans are sorting themselves along racial, religious, and cultural lines, leading to a level of polarization that the country hasn’t seen since the Civil War. Pundits and politicians are calling for us to come together and find common purpose. But how, exactly, can this be done?

In Palaces for the People, Eric Klinenberg suggests a way forward. He believes that the future of democratic societies rests not simply on shared values but on shared spaces: the libraries, childcare centers, churches, and parks where crucial connections are formed. Interweaving his own research with examples from around the globe, Klinenberg shows how “social infrastructure” is helping to solve some of our most pressing societal challenges. Richly reported and ultimately uplifting, Palaces for the People offers a blueprint for bridging our seemingly unbridgeable divides.

Longlisted for the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction.

“Just brilliant!” (Roman Mars, 99% Invisible)

“The aim of this sweeping work is to popularize the notion of ‘social infrastructure' - the ‘physical places and organizations that shape the way people interact'.... Here, drawing on research in urban planning, behavioral economics, and environmental psychology, as well as on his own fieldwork from around the world, [Eric Klinenberg] posits that a community’s resilience correlates strongly with the robustness of its social infrastructure. The numerous case studies add up to a plea for more investment in the spaces and institutions (parks, libraries, childcare centers) that foster mutual support in civic life.” (The New Yorker)

“Palaces for the People - the title is taken from the Scottish-American industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie’s description of the hundreds of libraries he funded - is essentially a calm, lucid exposition of a centuries-old idea, which is really a furious call to action.” (New Statesman)

“Clear-eyed...fascinating.” (Psychology Today)

©2018 Eric Klinenberg (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“If America appears fractured at the national level, the author suggests, it can be mended at the local one. This is an engrossing, timely, hopeful read, nothing less than a new lens through which to view the world and its current conflicts.” (Booklist, starred, review)

“At a time when polarization is weakening our democracy, Eric Klinenberg takes us on a tour of the physical spaces that bind us together and form the basis of civic life. We care about each other because we bump up against one another in a community garden or on the playground or at the library. These are not virtual experiences; they’re real ones, and they’re essential to our future. This wonderful book shows us how democracies thrive.” (Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, authors of How Democracies Die)

“Reading Palaces for the People is an amazing experience. As an architect, I know very well the importance of building civic places: concert halls, libraries, museums, universities, public parks, all places open and accessible, where people can get together and share experiences. To create good places for people is essential, and this is what I share with Klinenberg: We both believe that beauty, this kind of beauty, can save the world.” (Renzo Piano)

Appreciate the Vision and Clear-eyed Look at Where to Next

A multi-sector look at a critical piece of our society, past and present, and an overlooked and under-appreciated solution for what ails us and where we need to focus our efforts.

So good

I work in the field of parks and public space and this is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. Or actually listen to.

Great stories to illustrate the author's points

Well supported and researched. Kept me engaged and wanting more. A great introduction to the importance of infrastructure in placemaking.

Essential reading

This book should be required reading for all who wish to improve people’s lives, but especially for design professionals and policy makers.

Moving analysis of public life and the foundations

I enjoyed listening and learning about spatial justice, community, and what it would take to bolster spaces of disinvestment as well as create opportunities for a greater union in our divided times.

We must act now !

I am inspired to work for our organization to focus on becoming more effective in promoting the environment where sociol infrastructure is created.

essential read

comprehensive, well researched and a road map for how to spend the new infrastructure bill

Loved this.

A love letter to public spaces: libraries, public swimming pools, community gardens, parks, etc. that makes clear their ongoing importance for building community and changing lives. This is going to be an important book. Really well read by Rob Shapiro.

Incredibly timely, interesting, inspiring book

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it to be both revealing (re: how we got to the place we are currently in) and also inspiring (re: how to get to a better place). It’s 1000% opened my eyes to better understanding this world and how to work at improving it. Very well worth the listen.

Excellent perspective!

Interesting research on how spaces affect social infrastructure and can support social infrastructure and potentially impact society.