This is a very thorough look on much neglected aspects of architecture, transportation, and urban planning. I come from the transportaion world and found the book quite helpful in many areas from the havoc autos (and of course the where to park them problem) encountered in every urban core especially those that were built pre-auto. Given the sheer cost and land needed for providing parking in an auto dominated America this is a well timed book. It relates to congestion, sprawl, quality of living, city aesthetics, and indirectly with energy and pollution issues. It's estimated that parking costs as much as the US defense budget, but the costs are almost entirely hidden. The book gives a great blend of bringing these elements together. Not only is it an eye opening read but I recommend it as reference source for those invloved in urban planning, transportation, and urban architecture in both the light of the history, the current status, and assisting in envisioning better ways in the future.