This book investigates the complex interplay between the visionary ideals of modern architecture and their practical application in the urban transformation of the post-war era. John Gold, building on his previous work, delves into the personal, institutional, and professional contexts of architects involved in reconstruction and replanning schemes between 1954 and 1972. The book examines how modernist principles shaped town center renewal and social housing projects, charting the shift from the optimism of the 1960s to a critical reassessment by the early 1970s. It utilizes extensive interview data with architects of the period to illuminate the realities of implementing modernist visions in urban design.

As a sequel to a widely-acclaimed work, 'The Practice of Modernism' is positioned as a key text for understanding the planning aspects of the modernist movement. Its focus on the practical application of architectural principles in postwar urban reconstruction, supported by extensive interviews, suggests a detailed and nuanced historical account. The book is likely to be valued by architectural historians, urban geographers, and planners for its insights into the recent history of the contemporary city. The narrative arc, moving from the optimism of the 1960s to the reappraisal of the early 1970s, indicates a critical and analytical approach to the subject.