Wicked Baltimore: Charm City Sin and Scandal

by Lauren R. Silberman

Detailing the salacious history of Baltimore and its denizens from the city's earliest history up to and through Prohibition. With nicknames such as ""Mob Town"" and ""Syphilis City,"" no one would deny that Baltimore has its dark side. Before shows such as ""The Wire"" and "" Life on the Streets"" brought the city's crime rate to national attention, locals entertained themselves with rumors surrounding the mysterious death of writer Edgar Allan Poe and stories about Zelda Fitzgerald, wife of author F. Scott Fitzgerald, who spent time in a Baltimore area sanitarium in the 1930s. Tourists make the Inner Harbor one of the most traveled areas in the country, but if they would venture a few streets north to The Block on Baltimore Street they would see an area once famous for its burlesque shows. It is only the locals who would know to continue north on St. Paul to the Owl Bar, a former speakeasy that still proudly displays some of its Prohibition era paraphernalia.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published September 9, 2011

Reviews

[Audrey Babkirk Wellons · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd been looking for this book for a long time--and by "this book," I mean a fun history of Baltimore that included some of the legendary characters and stories that I'd heard about here and there: Blaze Starr, Edgar Allen Poe, etc. This slim little volume (I finished it in about 3 sittings), didn't disappoint.

It would be interesting to see a book that focused more on the last 60 years of Baltimore history (filming Homicide & The Wire; John Waters; and mayors like Sheila Dixon, Martin O'Malley, and William Donald Schaefer), but it was also fun to read tales from Baltimore's days as a provincial backwater.

Grave robbing, prostitution, presidential assassination plots, volunteer firefighters who START fires--it's all here.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting read as someone who loves Baltimore and enjoys hearing about old stories of the city. However the title give it a misconception that there are some dark things going on in the city. I didnt find the stories to be wicked, scandalous or sinful. I would recommend this book to someone who is interested in the history of the city, but if you want to hear scary stories take the fells point ghost tour.

[Shawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a voice to text review.
This was a fun book to read.There's so much history from so many parts of baltimore from egar allen po to lincoln coming through baltimore, to grave digger stealing bodies for the college of medicine

One thing I really liked about the book. Was it just wasn't stories, it was historical stories and the author talked about her research and had footnotes to show you where she got the source.

The book is entertaining and fun and really helps.You look at different times in baltimore's history differently.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being from Baltimore and loving the history of Baltimore, I really enjoyed this read. However, the title definitely is a little misleading as it's less "sin and scandal" and more just tumultuous times in our city-- such as a plot to assassinate Lincoln when he passed through and the treatment of slaves. I found many of the stories to be interesting, while some fell flat for me.

If you're from Baltimore, you'd probably enjoy this quick read!

[Renee Babcock · Rating 3 out of 5]

A series of stories highlighting Baltimore's history. I was struck by how violent that history often was. But it was a fun short book to read, with lots of sources should one want to dig deeper into some of these events.

[Doug Bivens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and different. Without spoiling, I was born in Baltimore and learned info I never knew.

[Dave Estela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting stories of events that happened in Baltimore over the last 200+ years. Fun read.

[Kristen Pollard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice collection of well written stories about the more salacious parts of Baltimore's history.

[Danielle Berkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Being that it's my home town, it was interesting to learn why Baltimore is Baltimore. And where it's traditions began

[Keely · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed in this book. Was really excited to ready about the history of the underbelly of Baltimore, as there is a lot to work with. However this book was poorly written. The author had a chance to do something amazing and she missed.

It gets 2 stars because I learned some interesting facts about the city in which I live.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read, and very interesting! While the book covered a couple of things I already knew about Baltimore, there is a LOT of the city's history that I (and probably many Baltimoreans) didn't know anything about.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick, fun read. Highly recommended for anyone interested in Baltimore history.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read but only if you live here/are from here.

[Diane Bedford-Murgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worthy read of some interesting facts about Baltimore. Also indicates some places well worth the visit.

[acuriouslibrarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy local history, you will love this book!

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting. Enlightening. Quirky history of Baltimore. Fast read. Enjoyed it.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting facts, would have benefited from better editing (John Hopkins, really?)

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't expect anything mind blowing. It's like taking a tourist stroll with a guide who drops famous names and salacious tidbits. Fun enough.