Comeback Cities shows how innovative, pragmatic tactics for ameliorating the nations urban ills have produced results beyond anyones expectations, reawakening Americas toughest neighborhoods. In the past, big government and business working separately were unable to solve the inner city crisis. Today, a blend of public-private partnerships, grassroots nonprofit organizations, and a willingness to experiment characterize what is best among the new approaches to urban problem solving. Pragmatism, not dogma, has produced the charter-school movement and the polices new focus on quality of life issues. The new breed of big city mayors has welcomed business back into the city, stressed performance and results at city agencies, downplayed divisive racial politics, and cracked down on symptoms of social disorder. As a consequence, Americas inner cities are becoming vital communities once again.