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The Other Half: The Life of Jacob Riis and the World of Immigrant America
Social reformer Jacob Riis made it impossible for Americans to look the other way; now this inspiring biography restores his greatness. Drawing on previously unexamined diaries and letters, The Other Half marvelously re-creates the moving story of Jacob Riis, the legendary Progressive reformer and muckraking photographer. Born in 1849 in rural Denmark, Riis immigrated to America in 1870 following a devastating romantic breakup. Penniless and starving, Riis stumbled into journalism, eventually becoming a charismatic police reporter for the New York Tribune , where he befriended Theodore Roosevelt and witnessed firsthand the appalling tenement conditions of late nineteenth-century New York. His resulting exposé, How the Other Half Lives , was the first major American muckraking book. It brought Americans in touch with their lost humanity, establishing a precedent for Ida Tarbell, Lincoln Steffens, Jane Addams, and Upton Sinclair. Described by Roosevelt as "the ideal American," Riis died in 1914, mourned by millions, a celebrated hero. Tom Buk-Swienty's long-awaited biography, a superb evocation of the muckraking era, is a compelling work, designed with 55 haunting images from Riis's own photographic oeuvre. 55 photographs
352 pages, Hardcover
First published August 25, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 19, 2022
I decided to read this book for two reasons. First, I am an American of Danish ancestry myself, and hoped to learn, through this biography of Jacob Riis, a 19th century Danish immigrant, a little of what my great grandfather might have experienced as an immigrant to the United States in 1895. Secondly, I had previously read another one of Tom Buk-Swienty's books, 1864, and really enjoyed it. That book was about the little known and brief war of 1864 between Denmark and Germany (actually Prussia and Austria), a war in which Denmark suffered catastrophic losses of both men and territory. The story Buk-Swienty tells of that war was gripping, and I hoped to find some of the same great storytelling in this book. I was not disappointed on either count.
After having his marriage proposal rejected by the woman he loved, Riis immigrates to New York to seek his fortune. Unfortunately, the United States was not kind to its immigrants and many were suffering greatly in NYC ghettos. After many personal trials and setbacks, Riis becomes a reporter on a NYC police beat, which gives him a view of some of the worst living conditions in the city. He finds that many of NYC's worst "criminals" are merely unfortunates forced into crime just to survive their circumstances. He decides to combine the new technology of flash photography with his reporting, to tell the story of the immigrants with pictures, and thus was born the new field of photographic journalism. Riis goes on to become becomes a social reformer, and is joined in his mission by the future president, Teddy Roosevelt. They form a lifelong friendship. Riis ultimately becomes celebrated as the "ideal American," and he wins the woman who had once rejected him, but this adulation causes him to be snubbed back in his his beloved hometown of Ribe, Denmark -- an ironic twist to the plot.
This is a moving story that is well told by Buk-Swienty. And it is made even more so by its excellent and highly literary translation from the original Danish edition into English by Buk-Swienty's wife, Annette. It reads like a novel. I think most people will find this book both very educational and entertaining. I highly recommend the book to anyone interested in the experiences of immigrants in America.
After having his marriage proposal rejected by the woman he loved, Riis immigrates to New York to seek his fortune. Unfortunately, the United States was not kind to its immigrants and many were suffering greatly in NYC ghettos. After many personal trials and setbacks, Riis becomes a reporter on a NYC police beat, which gives him a view of some of the worst living conditions in the city. He finds that many of NYC's worst "criminals" are merely unfortunates forced into crime just to survive their circumstances. He decides to combine the new technology of flash photography with his reporting, to tell the story of the immigrants with pictures, and thus was born the new field of photographic journalism. Riis goes on to become becomes a social reformer, and is joined in his mission by the future president, Teddy Roosevelt. They form a lifelong friendship. Riis ultimately becomes celebrated as the "ideal American," and he wins the woman who had once rejected him, but this adulation causes him to be snubbed back in his his beloved hometown of Ribe, Denmark -- an ironic twist to the plot.
This is a moving story that is well told by Buk-Swienty. And it is made even more so by its excellent and highly literary translation from the original Danish edition into English by Buk-Swienty's wife, Annette. It reads like a novel. I think most people will find this book both very educational and entertaining. I highly recommend the book to anyone interested in the experiences of immigrants in America.
February 12, 2017
When Jacob Riis died in 1914 he was considered a hero and mourned by millions, including his personal friend and fellow reformer Theodore Roosevelt. But how many of us today know who Jacob Riis was or what he did to gain such a reputation?
In his very readable and fascinating biography Tom Buk-Swienty has brought the story of Jacob Riis back to life. "As if plucked from a variant Horotio Alger novel, his is the story of a poor young Dane from the isolated yet picturesque medieval town of Ribe who immigrates to the United States in 1870 because of broken heart, nearly starves during his first months there, and is so despondent that he nearly dies. He then goes on to live what can only be described as the proverbial American dream: He starts at the bottom, struggles mightily, and then makes a living as an iron salesman. Once again, though, he loses all; then by chance he gets a job as a low-paid journalist and, in a few years, becomes a star police reporter and, finally, the author of a resounding best seller and classic, How the Other Half Lives. At the same time he practically invents modern photojournalism, is knighted by the Danish King, and becomes a close friend of Theodore Roosevelt. Together they fight police corruption and work to eradicate the worst slums in New York City, their herculean efforts succeeding beyond anyone's expectations."(xv)
In short, Riis was an early progressive reformer and muckraking reporter before the term muckraker had even been coined. This poor Danish immigrant became one of the biggest social reformers of the day, campaigning successfully against the slums and tenements. Riis' work brought massive reforms including the destruction of some of the worst slums in New York City. Mulberry Bend was once an infamous slum and is today known as Columbus Park due to the efforts of Riis. Jacob Riis made it impossible for the wealthy and middle class Americans of the day to keep ignoring the poor and destitute living amongst them. Riis photographs, taken with a revolutionary new flash, literally brought the dark and dank slums to light.
Tom Buk-Swienty's biography does an excellent job of telling Jacob Riis' story, from his early life in Denmark, his heartbreak over the love of his life (and the amazing turn around that actually leads to him getting the girl), his early destitute days in America and his, eventual, dedicated hard work that led to him becoming a famous reporter and reformer. The book also provides an excellent look at life in New York City at the turn of the century and the break with old Victorian standards towards the poor and charity. A very compelling biography.
In his very readable and fascinating biography Tom Buk-Swienty has brought the story of Jacob Riis back to life. "As if plucked from a variant Horotio Alger novel, his is the story of a poor young Dane from the isolated yet picturesque medieval town of Ribe who immigrates to the United States in 1870 because of broken heart, nearly starves during his first months there, and is so despondent that he nearly dies. He then goes on to live what can only be described as the proverbial American dream: He starts at the bottom, struggles mightily, and then makes a living as an iron salesman. Once again, though, he loses all; then by chance he gets a job as a low-paid journalist and, in a few years, becomes a star police reporter and, finally, the author of a resounding best seller and classic, How the Other Half Lives. At the same time he practically invents modern photojournalism, is knighted by the Danish King, and becomes a close friend of Theodore Roosevelt. Together they fight police corruption and work to eradicate the worst slums in New York City, their herculean efforts succeeding beyond anyone's expectations."(xv)
In short, Riis was an early progressive reformer and muckraking reporter before the term muckraker had even been coined. This poor Danish immigrant became one of the biggest social reformers of the day, campaigning successfully against the slums and tenements. Riis' work brought massive reforms including the destruction of some of the worst slums in New York City. Mulberry Bend was once an infamous slum and is today known as Columbus Park due to the efforts of Riis. Jacob Riis made it impossible for the wealthy and middle class Americans of the day to keep ignoring the poor and destitute living amongst them. Riis photographs, taken with a revolutionary new flash, literally brought the dark and dank slums to light.
Tom Buk-Swienty's biography does an excellent job of telling Jacob Riis' story, from his early life in Denmark, his heartbreak over the love of his life (and the amazing turn around that actually leads to him getting the girl), his early destitute days in America and his, eventual, dedicated hard work that led to him becoming a famous reporter and reformer. The book also provides an excellent look at life in New York City at the turn of the century and the break with old Victorian standards towards the poor and charity. A very compelling biography.
July 21, 2018
A thoughtful, honest look at the life of Jacob Riis. Given that the author is Danish as well, his perspective was a fascinating one that added depth to this excellent biography. Expertly researched, the book includes a variety of primary source content. Riis's written work is so naturally engaging, and I appreciated that the author allows Riis to tell his own story, weaving his words into the narrative. All the while he adds needed context and other perspectives to flesh out Riis's opinions, actions, and reflections. When viewed in light of the times in which Riis lived (the influence of social Darwinism, nativism, Victorian moralism, etc. etc.), Riis as a person and reformer makes a lot more "sense." I especially loved that Riis's diaries-- currently held at the New York Public Library-- had been translated into English. It provided such depth to Riis's long, hard struggle for a stable life in America. Really and truly loved this one!!
December 10, 2023
I wavered between 2 and 3 stars on this one but decided to round up because the amount of time that passed between starting and finishing it could be part of why I felt disconnected from the material.
Jacob Riis accomplished a lot in his life and it's amazing that a) one person could have such an impact and b) that impact could've been completely lost after the people who personally knew him were gone if someone hadn't recognized the importance of preserving his photographs.
It makes me sad that some of his "novel" ideas would still be considered outlandish at this time. People deserve respect and a support structure to meet basic needs.
On a unrelated note, I found a piece of stationary from the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Christchurch, New Zealand in the book with a handwritten note that said, "Winston Estes, author Part of the House". My research shows this hotel was demolished after an earthquake in 2010 so this note has been hanging out in this book for quite some time! I bought it in 2023 at a Planned Parenthood book sale in Iowa.
Find all my reviews at: https://readingatrandom.blogspot.com
Jacob Riis accomplished a lot in his life and it's amazing that a) one person could have such an impact and b) that impact could've been completely lost after the people who personally knew him were gone if someone hadn't recognized the importance of preserving his photographs.
It makes me sad that some of his "novel" ideas would still be considered outlandish at this time. People deserve respect and a support structure to meet basic needs.
On a unrelated note, I found a piece of stationary from the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Christchurch, New Zealand in the book with a handwritten note that said, "Winston Estes, author Part of the House". My research shows this hotel was demolished after an earthquake in 2010 so this note has been hanging out in this book for quite some time! I bought it in 2023 at a Planned Parenthood book sale in Iowa.
Find all my reviews at: https://readingatrandom.blogspot.com
August 19, 2024
This a bit of a niche biography but I went down the rabbit hole after reading Riis' book How the Other Half Lives. This biography was written by a fellow Dane who learned of Riis after being an exchange student in the States a hundred years after Riis' first arrived. He had not heard of him in his native Denmark.
The book is so well written, and is actually translated. He covers Riis' life completely from his small village, Ribe, to his emigration to the States, his initial failures, his rise via journalism and eventual fame as a reformer of the tenements and slums in late 19th century New York. The story includes his great love story and his long friendship with Teddy Roosevelt. It's really amazing that someone could come here alone in 1870, experience the risks of homelessness and hunger and eventually become a well known reformer of the system which took advantage of poor immigrants. One of the best books I read this year.
The book is so well written, and is actually translated. He covers Riis' life completely from his small village, Ribe, to his emigration to the States, his initial failures, his rise via journalism and eventual fame as a reformer of the tenements and slums in late 19th century New York. The story includes his great love story and his long friendship with Teddy Roosevelt. It's really amazing that someone could come here alone in 1870, experience the risks of homelessness and hunger and eventually become a well known reformer of the system which took advantage of poor immigrants. One of the best books I read this year.
September 28, 2018
A well-researched biography that explores the ridiculously interesting life of police reporter-turned-reformist Jacob Riis. At times you can tell the author really likes his subject, but this gets tempered later on through critical analysis of both 1880s reformists and the problematic aspects of How the Other Half Lives. What I particularly appreciated were the context pieces--extremely helpful for anyone researching not just Riis but Gilded Age New York in general.
August 18, 2025
I read this after reading How the Other Half Lives by Jacob Riis. This was a good follow up as a biography and getting a more historical context of the days in America that Riis lived. It was fascinating! Riis had a lot of connections with figures that I usually teach so I can't wait to share that. The other interesting story was his personal one and how he ended up marrying his wife Elisabeth. Well-researched and great takeaways about the importance of taking care of the poor.
January 2, 2020
Den bog kunne jeg godt lide, den viste hvordan selv de hårdeste tider kan overkommes og forvandles ved hjælp af udholdenhed.
July 17, 2021
Really interesting, well-researched book about the pioneer of photojournalism and social reformer.
March 11, 2023
An immigrant, a Dane,
he documented,
In a compelling way,
Life in the tenements.
he documented,
In a compelling way,
Life in the tenements.
May 29, 2024
An interesting read of an interesting man.
January 30, 2013
This book was written in Danish and translated to English. The author includes enough US history to orient his Danish readers and enough history of Denmark for non-Danes to understand the times there. While this is a biography, there is much about the first part that is generic to the immigrant experience of that time in the US.
Riis has unusual drive. He survives unemployment, hunger, cold, loneliness and unrequited love. There is background about his childhood that predicts that he will be a sensitive adult, so it is not surprising that he relates to the poor and can tell their stories.
Riis has tenacity not only in work (he is diligent in all his careers from planing doors to selling irons to practicing journalism in English, (a foreign language to him) but also love. He carries a torch for his first love in Denmark for 12 years.
One interesting aspect of his life was his friendship with Theodore Roosevelt. It would be strange in these times to have a Police Commissioner so reliant on a reporter for advice. Another is the character of Elizabeth who must have been very flexible in spirit. Her pictures show her retaining her youthful appearance, which was rare for the times. She was raised in a castle, hardly preparation for the adult life she chose.
Most of the life and actions are presented with some analysis but a few need more treatment. There is a good discussion of whether or not its fair to accuse Riis of ethnic prejudice. There isn't much known about why Riis' hometown more or less snubbed him, but author explores possibilities. The author says nothing, however, about relocating the Mulberry Bend tenants (landlords were paid $1.5 million). If they were left to fend for themselves, it should have been noted. Similarly the author says nothing about why Riis seemed to separate from his grown children.
Pertinant photos introduce the chapters, but the reader needs to flip forward to see what they are about. There are two sections of glossies, and they are labeled.
Overall, the book succeeds in telling the story of Jacob Riis.
Riis has unusual drive. He survives unemployment, hunger, cold, loneliness and unrequited love. There is background about his childhood that predicts that he will be a sensitive adult, so it is not surprising that he relates to the poor and can tell their stories.
Riis has tenacity not only in work (he is diligent in all his careers from planing doors to selling irons to practicing journalism in English, (a foreign language to him) but also love. He carries a torch for his first love in Denmark for 12 years.
One interesting aspect of his life was his friendship with Theodore Roosevelt. It would be strange in these times to have a Police Commissioner so reliant on a reporter for advice. Another is the character of Elizabeth who must have been very flexible in spirit. Her pictures show her retaining her youthful appearance, which was rare for the times. She was raised in a castle, hardly preparation for the adult life she chose.
Most of the life and actions are presented with some analysis but a few need more treatment. There is a good discussion of whether or not its fair to accuse Riis of ethnic prejudice. There isn't much known about why Riis' hometown more or less snubbed him, but author explores possibilities. The author says nothing, however, about relocating the Mulberry Bend tenants (landlords were paid $1.5 million). If they were left to fend for themselves, it should have been noted. Similarly the author says nothing about why Riis seemed to separate from his grown children.
Pertinant photos introduce the chapters, but the reader needs to flip forward to see what they are about. There are two sections of glossies, and they are labeled.
Overall, the book succeeds in telling the story of Jacob Riis.
December 10, 2015
Buk-Swienty from Denmark had a real advantage in writing about Jacob Riis, since he could read both the Danish and the English archival materials. He provides an easy-to-read overview of Riis's life, concentrating on his early years as an Danish immigrant leading to publication of the book that made him famous, "How the other half lives". A difficulty that Buk-Swienty acknowledges is that much of the story is based on Riis's own writings: his diary and his autobiographical books. Riis not only exaggerated in his newspaper stories and books but also shaded the truth for effect. Buk-Swienty at times indicates that a bit of fact-checking does not jive with Riis's descriptions. Nonetheless, Riis's impact and legacy is clear.
June 12, 2010
Jacob Riis was a muckraking journalist who exposed the terrible conditions of New York's tenements before the turn of the 20th century. His own story is pretty incredible -- a heartbroken and destitute Danish immigrant, he became the city's top police reporter, got the girl he'd long dreamed of, and led and shaped reform movements of his day.
July 7, 2009
A biography of the Danish immigrant who wrote How the Other Half Lives. It was a really compelling read. This guy knew first hand what it was like to live hand to mouth in the most crowded and filthy area on the planet at the time.
May 30, 2016
I found this a very enjoyable study of an often misunderstood individual. I did feel there was a bit of hagiography in the book, but as there is little information about him other than his own writings, it was a fairly balanced look at him.
Read
August 8, 2016I enjoyed getting to know a little more about the "father of photo-journalism" and the miserable conditions under which thousands of immigrants lived in New York City. All fueled by an exhibit at the Library of Congress I saw in May this year.
June 14, 2011
If I taught a class about immigration, The Other Half would be on the syllabus. This biography will have me reading Riis' own work, no doubt. Excellent English translation of the original text, too.
May 17, 2011
If the translation is anything like the original, this is one excellent book!
April 12, 2017
totally missed the man
talks like a Communist apologist
talks like a Communist apologist
June 26, 2016
A tightly written biography of a truly amazing human being.,
August 28, 2010
Story one one man who was determined to show scars in the NY immigrant history.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews