This book examines the dilemma of heavy snow in American cities, and the influence of snowstorms on their economic efficiency and growth. Making use of both official records, and private and newspaper accounts from as far back as the Colonial period, the author traces the reactions heavy snows have provoked over the centuries, showing how the cities found increasingly sophisticated ways of coping with the snow. The staggering cost of handling these recurrent onslaughts has led to ever-improved strategies.

Annual conferences on snow and its removal have been held in order to pool experiences to find better technological, fiscal, and administrative responses.

The author also describes the important effects of snow on our society, - not only how it can bring us together and fill us with community spirit, but also how it can point out defects in our community. Snowstorms have highlighted the plight of poor families in need of food and fuel, blizzards have given birth to the National Weather Bureau, and constant heavy barrages of snow, hail, and ice have encouraged the construction of subways, domed arenas, and underground power lines and parking garages.

Presenting first-hand experiences of snow in our cities, this book offers a fascinating view of American urban history.