Boston Then and Now

If the reviewer above, Charles Henry Higgensworth III, is the epitome of what a Bostonian is, then I will feel much more satisfaction in reading this book in the comfort of my dilapidated home here in Hickville, Indiana, than actually visiting the city of Boston. If you are not a true Bostonian, and are time-pressed and vapid, like me, this book is probably right up your alley. So us simpletons, who don't like to read, should find this book a real pleasure. This book isn't intended to give an entire account of the history of Boston. Mr. Higgensworth apparently can't see the forrest for the trees. I guess his superior intellect has it's limitations. In all seriousness, this book is what it is. You take an old or historic photo, then see a contemporary photo taken from about the exact same spot and compare the two. If you don't find that concept interesting, this book probably isn't for you. * I haven't actually flipped through this particular book, but I have seen at least 7 other books in this series. They were all fantastic and work as a great substitute for actually getting to visit that particular city. I was not disappointed in any of them and have little doubt that this one is of the same caliber.

The photographs in this book are good shots - clear, and larger than I had expected. It is very interesting to see how the historical city of Boston was, and how it has changed over the years, most times for the better, though sometimes for the worse.Perhaps I would get more out of this if I knew more about Boston. Unless you are already familiar with this city, then "Boston Then and Now" gives you the feeling of peeping through the windows of a house that's up for rent, rather than being taken on a guided tour. A map certainly would have been helpful, and how about an entire page of background information rather than a footnote? Just an idea, in case someone decides to revise it someday. Nice book. Worth buying.

"Boston Then And Now" was reviewed by Charles Higgensworth III. I do hope there won't be a number 4 Higgensworth. This man should drop the attitude. Then people may like him almost as much as this book. What a jerk!

We purchased this book in Boston and found almost all of the sites we saw in town in this book. In this book, the older, up to 150-year old photo of the original structures on the current site, or older pictures than offered a juxtaposition of the surrounding landscape of buildings present in the past and now around selected sites.While I was a little disappointed in no picture of Fenway Park, or in a map to help locate where some of these pictures were taken in the city (after all, I'm not a native of Boston), I found the book to very ably support the exhibits we saw on Boston's history, and add greatly to my understanding of the city and the growth of urbanism in general. The architecture depicted is often unique, and the descriptions offer a bit of information on who the architects were, how the areas shown were constructed, and more.Overall, I came out pretty pleased by what is found in this book.

Boston history lovers will enjoy this. Specific parts of Boston shown on one page in a historic photo and on the next in current day. Mostly buildings, intersections, and famous sites. Large pictures, nice descriptions that aren't too lengthy. Photo labels at the top corner of each new picture. A really nice book.