Customer Reviews

The Alleys and Back Buildings of Galveston: An Architectural and Social History (Sara and John Lindsey Series in the Arts and Humanities)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was very surprised to find a book like this one. Some people may not enjoy this particular book but I did, in large part, because I grew up in Galveston and still spend a lot of time there.

Unlike a previous reviewer, I don't find the book a waste of time and I don't find Galveston eccentric-only someone that doesn't know the history and culture of Galveston would make that statement. However, Galveston is unique.
The alleys referred to in this book are not the type alleys in big city downtown areas where you put the garbage cans. The alleys of Galveston are more like small streets that are between two bigger streets. I have been in many of the buildings shown in this book. I had friends who lived in some of these very same buildings.

The author did a good job. However, if you do not have an interest in the history or culture of Galveston this book is probably not for you.Ellen Beasley has done other books about Galveston that also very good.

A tremendous amount of research went into this book and the personal interviews give a great sense of Galveston and its past. In addition the merging of the historic maps and pictures are very interesting. If you are a fan of Galveston and its history you will enjoy this book.

Wow! It is very unusual to find history regarding average working people. This book is an easy read yet detailed and well sourced. If one is interested in Galveston or just historical views of the working class this is a great book.

Talk about a niche book..i mean who green lights a book about alley's? Im sure there might be three people..somewhere, into the alleys of Galveston, but geez are there not worthier topics? Having said that, this is not a bad book, the images are well presented, the text well researched, I guess..but still...Alleys?! Galveston is an odd town, with eccentric people, maybe this is right up their alley, so to speak, I dont know, as for me, I'll pass, I really dont like alley's of any kind, because, well, there alley's.