Drawing extensively from original documents and approaching the subject from a number of disciplines, the authors show how past decisions, made in a particular geographical and historical context, led to the successes and problems of today. They argue that human attempts to manage that environment are almost always influenced by political and class divisions.

Common Fields will be of interest to informed citizens as well as to scholars, and will also serve as a valuable blueprint for further research on cities across the nation.

"This is an outstanding book. Understanding the struggles of earlier generations of St. Louisans with sewage, pollution, smoke fire, and other environmental hazards helps us appreciate where we are now and how we got there. Even more importantly, it posts some clear directions for better management of our area in the future. Anyone interested in the future of American cities will find this fascinating reading". Peter Raven, director, Missouri Botanical Garden