Lost Boston

by Jane Holtz Kay, June Holtz Kay

Lost Boston offers a chance to see the city as it once was, revealing architectural gems that were lost long ago. An eminently readable history of the city's physical development, Lost Boston also makes an cloquent appeal for its preservation. Jane Holtz Kay traces the evolution of Boston from the barren, swampy peninsula of colonial times to the booming metropolis of today. In the process she creates the city's family album, infused with the flavor and energy that make Boston unique. Portrayed alongside the grand landmarks are the little details of city life that are so neon signs and storefronts that were common in their time but are even more meaningful in their absence.. "Kay also brings to life the people who literally created Boston - architects like Charles Bulfinch and H. H. Richardson, landscape designer and master park creator Frederick Law Olmsted, and even such colorful political figures as Mayors John "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald and James Michael Curley.

Genres: History, Photography, Nonfiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published November 19, 1980

Reviews

[David Romm]

Boston was created over several hundred years. And Kay’s question to the reader, “has Boston reached its peak.” And the hope that Boston will continue to both preserve some parts, and innovate in others.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

"In the United States a man builds a house in which to spend his old age, and he sells it before the roof is on [in the] bootless chase of hte complete felicity which forever escapes him."

Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America

[Traceyalice · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about a city that was--I wish more art deco/art nouveau storefronts survived urban renewal in Boston.