The Meccas of the World The Play of Modern Life in New York, Paris, Vienna, Madrid and London

"The Meccas of the World" by Ruth Cranston is a snapshot of city life in the early 1900s. The book looks at big cities like New York, Paris, Vienna, Madrid, and London, and how culture and personal identity mix in these busy places. Focusing on America, especially New York, the author examines social life, the roles of men and women, and what it was like to live back then. The story starts with New York, showing it as both exciting and messy, like a play being practiced. The author breaks common ideas about New Yorkers, showing the real lives of everyday people, from store owners to workers, and their dreams and problems. Cranston writes about the big differences in New York, between the rich and the poor, and the fancy image versus what life was really like. This sets up a bigger look at how city culture shows what society wants and struggles with, helping readers think about what it means to be modern.