Architect and social critic Michael Sorkin develops his own vision of the future lower Manhattan through a series of chronologically organized essays illustrated with full-color images of his own plans. Mixing his inimitable brand of social criticism with more personal reflections, Starting From Zero offers a striving challenge to the Ground Zero redevelopment plan recently chosen by New York's establishment insiders.

Michael Sorkin is America's most provocative architectural critic. He is a frequent contributor to the New York Times, and is generally regarded as one of the most prominent architectural writers in America. His books include After the World Trade Center (Routledge), Some Assembly Required, and Variations on a Theme Park.

1. Introduction 2. After the Fall 3. Temporary Schemes 4. Forever After 5. Rebuilding New York 6. Disaggregated/Off-Site Schemes 7. Six Months 8. Yamasaki's Original 9. A Plan for Downtown 10. Thinking Inside the Box 11. Crossing the Site/Authenticity of the Grid 12. The Dimensions of Aura 13. The World Peace Dome 14. A Plan for Downtown Revised 15. Freedom's Gate 16. Herbert's List 17. The Final Scheme 18. Back to Zero 19. The (Magnificent) Seven 20. Who Decides 21. A Program for Reconstruction