This is one of those lifechanging books that leaves me frustrated at the end because there are already parts of it I've forgotten and I want to be able to produce the lessons, stories, facts, and statistics from this book at a moments notice to win arguments. In that way, it's sort of like any of the Yuval Noah Harari books or the New Jim Crow. I just wish it was information that everyone in the world knew, it would make the world a better place. This is one of those books that I will be recommending people read for a long time and begging them to text me anything interesting they come across as I read it so that I can remember important things.

The book itself was full of things that I felt like I knew in my unconscious mind but it felt vindicating to see backed up in scientific studies. Places where you live close to everything and can walk and bike around are way better than sprawl, and these elements have actual measurable positive effects on human and societal well being. I now understand why Hadley makes me sad and Amherst makes me happy. Put the Chippy's in Hadley in the middle of Amherst and I'd have no reason to venture to that part of route nine. (Andrew, as my only goodreads friend who never lived in Amherst, you can look this up on Google maps if you truly care). GREAT FREAKING BOOK A MUST READ