The Tammerkoski rapids emerged circa 7500 years ago and the city on its shores was founded in 1779. This book offers fresh perspectives into the history and modern day Tampere at the same time as it sets the city in its place in the world as well as in world history. The development of city image, education and innovations steering us forward, the shores of the rapids as the stage of industry and work, nature, ice hockey, and rock and roll are all part of the versatile content of this book. The writers are esteemed experts on the history and modern day Tampere. Impressive illustrations, which mostly have not been seen before, describe the life of the city and its inhabitants in an enticing way.