Utilizing the strengths of traditional ethnographic approaches, the authors of this provocative volume of original essays analyze contemporary urban problems in the United States. The first collection to deal exclusively with American cities, the book projects a fresh approach to understanding such contemporary issues as urban inequality, crime, family structure, reproduction, "welfare cheating, " and the failure of communicty organizations.The authors apply anthropological techniques to issues that pervade today's media. Some address cases that will be relevant to the growing number of anthropologists and other social scientists who work outside of academia. Among these are Delmos Jones' article on how a community organization functions, Roger Sanjek's on a consumer-operated clinic, and John Ogbu's study of a school system.Contributors include both established experts and younger scholars. Cities of the United States is a valuable text for students in such courses as urban anthropology, American studies, urban studies, and urban sociology, and is also useful to social scientists and others working outside of academia in institutions and organizations.