This love letter to the Bronx was a little dense for my taste. I was there for 20th century and the first 40% was the American Revolution - the late 1800s.

Once we hit the 20th century, I was completely drawn in. Racism, urban planning, drugs, corruption are among the many elements that led to the Bronx we know from popular culture and the news. It’s a very sad story but the author introduces us to people in the community - both living and long deceased who can take credit for the good that can be found in and from the Bronx.

I listened to the audiobook and probably would have enjoyed the written version more.

Thanks to NetGalley for my review copy.

3.5 ⭐️

Thank you to Netgalley for a free copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. I am stopping at 30 percent. I wanted to listen to a book about the Bronx, past and present. At the moment, we are in France during the French Revolution after spending a lot of time hearing gory details of the American Revolution. The history of the area is important, of course, but this is too much.

Ian Frazier has been walking the Bronx for the last 15 years. While he is walking he is learning the history frrom the indigious people who were there before colonists to hip hop. some places. Perfect for the History nerd, and/or someone who loves New York. The Brox is full of history.

Seriously this book is something I alwayed dreamed of. I’m not sure if it was to read or to write..or both. Seriously this was something I always thought I wanted in Charleston.

Narrated by Robert Fass, is a great narrator for this book!

Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for an ARC.

An enjoyable enough listen, we sometimes spent a little too much time lost in the weeds of things like the road names and where they interject with each other. Also didn’t care too much for the details of things he’d found on the floor.
Excellent narrator

When you're a part of what is probably one of the top ten most infamous cities on the globe, it is easy to see how the collective conscious can fold your markers and influence into that with what is now the 'parent'. Unless, of course, you're in trouble. Ian Frazer undertakes the herculean task of not only untangling this web, but highlighting, uplifting, and dusting off the features that make this particular subsection. The result is a love letter in the truest sense. For while there is a true, deep, appreciation there is no disillusionment of the shortcomings through history.

First and foremost, while I might have had a better mental visual or personal connection if I was even remotely from this area, residency is not a requirement to be captivated by this novel. I confess that going into this novel I would be able to name the boroughs for you but I couldn't tell you much in way of the culture and history of each. But I have an interest in the city as a whole from both a historical and cultural standpoint. much to my delight this delivered both those things and more. Who knew I'd be considering transportation infrastructure so much and not be bored to tears and only partially lost as my directional and imaging skills are barely functional separately let alone when needing to perform both. The fact I felt like I had any idea of a layout was an accomplishment in itself.

Looking back on this reading experience I am in awe of the breadth of information that was in here. Though some may be disappointed, I was pleasantly surprised to encounter so much exploration into the people and events of the American Revolution (and may never look at the white castle logo ever the same) as I have a deep interest in that era. Given how much has been covered on that time period I expected it to be glossed over. In spite of that, Frazier gives ample time for so many topics that by the end even the reverberation of that section seem as far back as the 1700s themselves--not to say this book is a slog. just the opposite. it's hard to call this fast paced given the length, but it sure walks a smart step.

Maybe the best part of the book, the very heart of it, isn't how it displays the borough and area went on to be a model and forerunner for most of the states. It's what it has to say about the people. It covers the population influxes and exoduses, industry, notable citizens, a touch of sports, housing, crime, and most significantly the power of community. Plus probably a dozen things I'm forgetting.

One things for sure. If I had a physical copy, which I am considering, it would be tabbed to high heavens to mark all the trivia and people of note that caught my attention. it is unbelievable how he managed to compile all of this in such a cohesive, approachable, and broadly appealing manner. On top of that he weaves in personal observations, notes, and a sly humor.

Consider me to officially be on his "why isn't there a plaque" campaign.