 | Boulevard of Dreams: Heady Times, Heartbreak, and Hope along the Grand Concourse in the Bronx Subjects: Grand Concourse (New York N.Y.) -- History; Bronx (New York N.Y.) -- History; Bronx (New York N.Y.) -- Social conditions; Bronx (New York N.Y.) -- Social life and customs; Jews -- New York (State) -- New York -- History; The Bronx's Grand Concourse, with its Art Deco structures, is one of New York City's architectural delights, and its political and social history is the worthy subject of this new book by New York Times staffer Rosenblum, who edited the paper's now-defunct City section and now writes a column for its Sunday real estate section. Stretching over four-and-a-half miles, the thoroughfare designed by Louis Aloys Risse, an Alsatian immigrant, and modeled after Paris's Champs Elysees-was completed in 1909 and saw the arrival of upwardly mobile Jews in the first five decades of the 20th century, followed by waves of Irish and Italian immigrants seeking to pursue their culture and careers in a safe environment. While Rosenblum explores various aspects of Jewish communal life near the boulevard, she also dissects the rivalry between West Bronx affluence and the working-class East Bronx, and the racial tensions that led to white suburban flight and the decline and neglect of the area. The author also draws attention to the many noteworthy characters who lived on or near the Concourse such as Edgar Allan Poe and fallen NBA star Jacob Louis Molinas. A seminal recounting of the rise, fall and current revival of a major landmark, this book, with many archival photos and drawings, is a must for those interested in the cultural history of the Bronx and New York City. 43 illus., 1 map. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved Constance Rosenblum, editor of the City Section at "The New York Times", was for many years editor of the paper's Arts & Leisure Section. She lives in Brooklyn. (Bowker Author Biography) |
