Reviews

Ý"Boston: A Topographical History"¨ is a lively history of the city from its founding up through the mid-1960s, the age of the so-called New Boston. Whitehill clarifies such mysteries as the name Tremont, which refers to the three hills--Pemberton, Beacon, and Mount Vernon--that once stood where the now much-reduced Beacon Hill remains. With this book, graced with useful old maps and engravings, you can understand that Canal Street followed the bank of Mill Creek, Causeway Street was once a causeway across the old mill pond, and West Hill Place (near Charles Circle) was once a small hill by the Back Bay. -- David Mehegan "Boston Globe Magazine"

A good companion, pleasingly written, informative and entertaining, and copiously illustrated. -- Nicholas B. Wainwright "New England Quarterly"

Over the years Boston has played an important role in American history and consequently a topographical history of the city is of more than local interest...In an informed and witty manner, ÝWhitehill¨ traces the history of Boston by means of the physical and resultant social changes which have affected the city...Ýthis history has been¨ delightfully...told in this attractive book. -- James J. Heslin "New York Historical Society Quarterly"

Short, living, and admirably illustrated...What we have is a most learned and entertaining guide to the past and present of Boston.

There have been many books written about Boston, but none with more information so charmingly and accurately written...ÝThere are¨ riches packed between the hard covers of this book, excellently conceived and excellently created.

Whitehill's scholarship is both profound and far-reaching...In short, this is an admirable contribution to the growing literature of American urbanism. -- Leonard K. Eaton "Progressive Architecture"