The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces William H. Whyte, Washington, DC: The Conservation Foundation, 1980. 125 pp. $9.50 (paper) and 16mm color film, 55 minutes, 2 reels, sound. $750.00 (purchase), $75.00 (rental). New York: The Municipal Arts Society, 1980.

Unfortunately, these reports appear exactly as they did in original publication. They have not been revised and even the biographical information is, in some cases, quite dated. Presumably, descriptions are bound to their contexts of occurrence, while conceptual understanding is to a degree context-free. Still, some of the articles could be made even more appealing through an updating of the descriptions. The book can function as an introductory device for those who wish to sample what has been going on over the last eight years on the qualitative front, and for the beginning sociology student. The sampler will find conceptual substance and questions of general sociological relevance. Hence, an exchange theorist could appreciate Bigus’s description of &dquo;cultivated relationships,&dquo; while structurally endemic conflict is eloquently portrayed by McClenahen and Lofland. The student will be treated to clear, interesting writing which cannot help but &dquo;hit home.&dquo; In my opinion, the contribution of this small volume ties with the service it can render the student and teacher of undergraduate