"An important contribution to the sociology of religion in urban areas. Micro-City demonstrates how faith inspires community building within identity groups, and cooperation with people across identity groups. An inspiring read for our isolated and polarized times." - Eboo Patel, author of We Need To Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy; Founder and President, Interfaith America
"Micro City: Faith Encounters Super-Diversity in Queens, NY by Cimino and Tokke draws us deeply into the life of 12 neighborhoods in the "superdiverse" borough of Queens through the prism of its religious congregations. Anchored in the key sociological issue of the role that religion plays in shaping and being shaped by the contours and meaning of this diversity in peoples everyday lives, this tour de force of deep ethnography, thick description, and rich theoretical analysis comes up with conclusions that for many will be both surprising and challenging. Not only is the diversity unremarkable to many living in Queens since it has become a given, a substantial number find it to be a distraction and seek to be with those who are of their own very specific background, forming urban enclaves of commonality and collective effervescence in their congregations, engaging through those in 'cloistered community development' focused on their members, with attempts to building bridges with other groups being a niche activity for people with that particular commitment. This book is a must read for all those interested in an evidence-based, nuanced, and detailed perspective of how the human urge to 'find a home,' and the role of congregations in meeting that felt need, leads to apparent super-diversity in an urban setting being, in many respects, only skin-deep." - David Bronkema, Templeton Chair for Christian Service through Entrepreneurship, Eastern University
"A revealing portrait of religions in Queens, New York based on an extensive ethnographic survey and shrewd social analysis. Micro-City: Faith Encounters Super-Diversity in Queens, NY by Richard Cimino and Hans Tokke shows how religious diversity in a postsecular city fosters new forms of in-group solidarity and social civility. Essential for understanding NYC and, perhaps, all modern cities." - Tony Carnes, Publisher & Editor, A Journey Through NYC religions
"Micro-City is an ambitious study of the whole religious and ethnic ecology of Queens, New York. The methodological feat of its well-executed large team ethnography is itself admirable. This book delivers a fresh exploration of a perennial puzzle: countless culturally distinct 'micro' worlds tend to emerge within broader highly diverse geographic areas. It is rich with valuable insights about the way inter-personal dynamics, culture, economics, emotions, and spatiality converge to produce such environments. Ultimately, Micro-City is a timely meditation on the way religion negotiates diversity, mobility, adversity, inequality, and civility in the age of the global city." - Omar McRoberts: author of
