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From the first towns in Mesopotamia to today's global metropolises, cities have marked the progress of civilization. Written in the form of illustrated "biographies," Great Cities offers a rich historical overview of each featured city, brought to vivid life with maps, paintings, photographs, and artifacts. The latest title in the series style of Artists, Writers, Philosophers, and Composers, this lavish book goes under the skin of cities both ancient and modern--from Babylon and Tikal, Paris, and Palermo to Prague, Amsterdam, Tokyo, and So Paulo. Which ancient civilization founded the precursor to Mexico City Why was Venice the gateway to the East What was the Belle Epoque Which was the first city to build sewers Great Cities takes you there.