DOC Not in My Neighborhood: How Bigotry Shaped a Great American City by Antero Pietila in History

Review

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Outstanding; lively social historyBy R. J. WellsEven if you've never been to Baltimore; but have an interest in race relations; this book is a must read. If you are familiar with Baltimore; that goes double!This is one of the best books I've read in the past year. The author; being a newspaperman; has a keen eye for the telling detail. He presents both the big picture and the little nuggets that make the story come to life.Because I have lived in Baltimore; I am familiar with many of the personalities and locations featured in the book; but I still learned a lot. For example; that Fulton Avenue served as an unyielding boundary between black and white neighborhoods for 34 years -- an eternity! Since Fulton Ave. has for decades been simply a street through the massive black section of West Baltimore; I had no idea of its important role in decades past.Also; while the subject of the book is quite serious; the writing style is extremely accessible. It's almost like a series of New Yorker-style articles; but arranged in chronological order that works perfectly. Readers will be able to get a clear understanding of how Baltimore's black population expanded from the city center to the boundaries with Baltimore County over the past 100+ years.For a deeper dive into one of the episodes described in this book -- the "breaking" of Edmondson Village -- I also recommend "Blockbusting in Baltimore: The Edmondson Village Story" by W. Edmond Orser. It's written in a more academic style; but is still pretty readable.If you have enjoyed "Family Properties" by Beryl Satter; you should read this book as well.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Definitely worth the readBy S. M. TuckerThis was such an informative book and of great interest to me. This particular copy was purchased as a gift and I hope the recipient enjoys it as much as I enjoyed it when I read it.The history of zoning with a racial bias in my home town beginning right after the Civil War is absorbing and sheds a lot of light on things I never learned in school. The writing is succinct but not dry. I recommend it to anyone interested in the desegregation process in large city milieus.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A very informative and enlightening book which opened my eyes ...By KACA very informative and enlightening book which opened my eyes to the extent taken by local; state and national governments to promote segregation by race; ethnicity; and economics.