The Hub: Boston Past and Present

by Thomas H. O'Connor

From the Revolutionary War to the Big Dig, Boston and its people have played a colorful and often controversial role in shaping the nation's political, economic, and cultural landscape. In this sweeping history of the Hub's rich heritage, Thomas H. O'Connor reveals an ever-changing and resilient city that has adapted to many significant upheavals without losing its distinct personality. Filled with dramatic local events as well as intriguing characters, this engaging account evokes the spirit and soul of Boston, both yesterday and today.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

310 pages, Paperback

First published March 16, 2001

Reviews

[E M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. O'Connor characterizes four phases of Boston’s growth that shaped the cultural dynamics of this city:
+ the strict religious utopianism of the Puritans
+ the Brahmin elitist progressivism
+ the grass-roots pragmatic politics of the Irish
+ today’s internationalism

As he covers these overlapping phases, he fluidly interleaves reflections on:
+ economics (from the mercantilism of the past to the information economy today)
+ war (the sacrifices paid during the revolutionary and civil wars)
+ religion (a deep dive into the clashes between protestants and catholics)
+ black’s and women’s rights
+ local politics (from semi-formal counsels before the Constitution, to the crony politics of the late 19th century, to the data-driven bureaucracy of today)
+ how national trends manifest at the municipal level.

The stories are engaging and illustrative; the writing stile is light and precise. Dr. O'Connor offers an excellent introduction to Boston’s history, one that whets the appetite for more.

This review and others here! http://www.autopoesis.tech/bookshelf/

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is 278 pages but needed to be 400 at least. Here's a list of major Boston persons and issues that were mentioned either not at all or only in passing: sports; colleges; Whitey Bulger and organized crime; Ben Franklin; Frederick Douglass; and the Kennedys (seriously). The book did deal well with racial issues.

[Robert Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good, but rather dry history of Boston through the turn of the century. Enjoyed the first half, but second half was a bit rushed and very focused on mayoral races and administrations.