Review of 'Dirty Old Boston : Four Decades of a City in Transition' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
A coffee table book with a very interesting origin. This book compiles photos of the city of Boston and environs from the beginning of photography through 1987. The photos were largely submitted from members of a Facebook site of the same name. The book presents the best of those submissions plus photos curated by various historical societies. Due to the personal and impromptu character of the photos, the book (and the web site) present a very intimate glimpse into the city and its inhabitants over many years. The book is great, but one thing it lacks (that the Facebook site provides) is the extensive commentary provided by the city's denizens, which can often be hilarious (a vigorous chorus of banter, argument, fact, and insight). I have a personal association with the Facebook site and the book, since I am a member and have submitted many of my father's old snaps …
A coffee table book with a very interesting origin. This book compiles photos of the city of Boston and environs from the beginning of photography through 1987. The photos were largely submitted from members of a Facebook site of the same name. The book presents the best of those submissions plus photos curated by various historical societies. Due to the personal and impromptu character of the photos, the book (and the web site) present a very intimate glimpse into the city and its inhabitants over many years. The book is great, but one thing it lacks (that the Facebook site provides) is the extensive commentary provided by the city's denizens, which can often be hilarious (a vigorous chorus of banter, argument, fact, and insight). I have a personal association with the Facebook site and the book, since I am a member and have submitted many of my father's old snaps of the city (five of which are presented in the book).