Delirious New York: A retroactive manifesto for Manhattan by Rem Koolhaas

"Delirious New York: A retroactive manifesto for Manhattan" is a book written by architect and urban theorist Rem Koolhaas and published in 1978. The book is considered a classic of architectural and urban design literature and is widely read and studied in architecture and urban planning programs.

In the book, Koolhaas presents a history of Manhattan as an architectural and urban phenomenon and argues that the city's architecture and urban form has been driven by a "culture of congestion" that values density, diversity, and constant change. He argues that this culture of congestion, which he sees as a quintessentially modern phenomenon, has produced a unique and dynamic urban environment that is both chaotic and exhilarating.

Koolhaas also argues that the history of Manhattan is a history of "Manhattanism" - a term he uses to describe the city's unique urban form and culture. He contends that the principles of Manhattanism have been exported around the world, and have influenced the development of cities everywhere.

The book is a mix of history, urban studies and architectural theory, with a great deal of attention to the specifics of the history of New York City, its architecture, and its urban development. The book is rich with illustrations, photographs, diagrams, and maps, and it's a visual feast as well as an intellectual one.