Multnomah: The Tumultuous Story of Oregon's Most Populous County

by Jewel Lansing, Fred Leeson

Genres: Americana, History, Nonfiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2012

Reviews

[Kathleen (itpdx) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a political history of Multnomah County, Oregon. Multnomah County is the home of Portland and Gresham, Oregon (the largest and fourth largest cities in the state). The book covers the good, the bad and the sometimes ugly in county government. I was born in Multnomah County and have lived most of my life here. I found this fascinating. I am not sure why but I am pleased to know that the idea of painting a yellow stripe down the center of a road originated here. It was the result of a deputy sheriff coming up with a safety idea for the Multnomah County end of the magnificent Columbia Gorge Highway soon after it was built. He couldn't get the county commissioners to fund the idea and, in true western style, bought the paint and painted the stripes himself.
The book brings into focus things that I was only vaguely aware at the time and puts into perspective the scandals and struggles of the county. I think this is an important book for people in the metro area and other Oregonians. You cannot understand where you are going unless you know where you have been. The books ends with a list of questions to be answered in the future as well as some invaluable appendices.

[Jessie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked out a couple books at the same time for history of Portland. This one was my least favorite.

[L · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first seven chapters were interesting and then it goes downhill from there, focusing way too much on elections and the political achievements and shortcoming of various government officials. I have a better understanding of the repetitious ineptitude of the governance of Portland/Multnomah Co, but don't really feel like I know the people who chose to live here initially or continue to do so.

In summary, if you're really interested in local politics, this is a good book. If you're more interested in sociology, economy, ecology, urban design, or the other facets that make a city interesting: look elsewhere.

[Kayne Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative book. Doesn't get into city politics a great deal, but gives a great background as to the history of the political landscape between city/county and between the cities within Multnomah county. I'm inspired to read a similar volume on the history of Portland city politics to fully color in the narrative but this book absolutely provides the content its title would suggest.

[Michael Keiser · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit dry, but a fairly short, concise history of Oregon's most populated county. If you don't live in these parts, probably not a lot of reason to read it.