Review by Choice Review
In the early 19th century, Boston declared itself the "Athens of America." Historians have adopted that label and regularly employ it to describe the city's contributions to and role in US history. However, O'Connor (emer., Boston College) asserts that these scholars have rarely bothered to explore the term's meaning. By asking how and why Boston took on the role of being America's Athens, the author provides a compelling re-reading of a crucial moment in its history. O'Connor's study divides into three parts. First, it shows how "Jacksonian Democracy" and the "Age of the Common Man" eroded Boston's political hegemony over national politics. Second, it demonstrates how a cohort of politicians, businessmen, and religious leaders joined forces to revitalize and rebuild Boston into their vision of a model US city. Finally, it explores how intellectuals and social reformers promoted every Progressive movement from temperance to abolitionism, and in so doing forced the US to accept the city as its moral compass. General readers with some knowledge of Boston's history will find this a well-researched, informative overview, while historians teaching courses on the US city will find it an excellent example of urban history's importance and a useful addition to the required reading list. ^BSumming Up: Highly recommended. General and undergraduate collections. T. D. Beal SUNY College at Oneonta
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
