Against the Grain: The History of Buffalo's First Ward

by Timothy Bohen

A history of the Irish immigration into the First Ward of Buffalo, NY during the mid-19th century. Photos.

Genres: Nonfiction

258 pages, Paperback

First published October 30, 2012

Reviews

[Walter Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best histories of Buffalo I have seen. This book covers the history of not only Buffalo's First Ward, it give a wonderfully detail of it's people, place &culture.

Even if your not from Buffalo it is great story of the growth and change of an urban area over time.

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started off well. The first third is a decent, well structured, informative history text. It was clearly written, fact-based, and offered perspective. The later majority of the book was more focus on individuals, and surprisingly less compelling. These later chapters contained far too many subjective good-old-days anecdotes. Still, for anyone interested in Buffalo history, Against the Grain is worth reading, if only for the first one-hundred or so pages.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a bit of a disappointment for me. Bohen seems to have tired in the middle of the project. His research and his writing are inconsistent, repetitive, and without a consistent style. His effort is to be appreciated, however. As an amateur, there is no reason to have expected more. I'm glad that he made the effort that he did. Thank you.

[Timothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched and entertaining history of Buffalo’s First Ward. Chock full of anecdotes, analysis, and apologetic history of the World the Irish immigrants built ca. 1860 through 1960.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's difficult to imagine anyone not being interested in the story told in "Against the Grain" by Tim Bohen. This narrative tells the story of the rise and fall, and we hope, rebirth of Buffalo's First Ward. (In the interest of full disclosure, both my parents were raised in "The Ward".)
Bohen begins the story with Joseph Dart's invention of the grain elevator in 1842, and shows how technology, geography, and social pressures, formed a coherent community of immigrants (predominantly Irish), which led to Buffalo's Golden Age, and to the expansion of the young United States westward. The narrative takes us through the good years, when outrageous fortunes were amassed (for some) on Buffalo's waterfront, and through struggles against the elements,unfair labor practices, local, State and national politics, and through the changes in Great Lakes shipping and Buffalo's decline as a Lake port. Taking us to the present day, Bohen notes new activities in the Ward, offering some measure of hope for a new First Ward.
More than a history of dry, lifeless facts, "Against the Grain" is told, to a great extent, through stories of real life characters, more colorful that ususally found in nonfiction. It is both entertaining and illuminating.

[Rick Ferrino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent summary of the history of the first ward, religion,people, family,industry, wars, politics, struggling Irish, through out 200 years.

Was quite interesting to learn about our ancestors settling here in buffalo.
Quite a lot to take in with all the names to remember. Enjoyed this history story.

[Patricia Calandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A historians delete.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

An informative history of Buffalo's First Ward from the mid 1800s to the present. The book is well researched and the author does a good job of explaining the economic forces that led to the area thriving and then declining. The author's family is from the area and he brings the reader close in, discussing many of the families who lived there, even giving their addresses. The author is not a professional writer, so there are a few rough patches and some unnecessary repetition, but the book is still an absorbing and lively read.