Customer Reviews

A City in Terror: Calvin Coolidge and the 1919 Boston Police Strike

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

 

 

I would have liked to have seen a greater number of references and footnoting for the book. While a very good history, it lacks what I would consider a true scholarly outlook. I do not doubt the research, but I have a problem with not being able to follow up on the research.

Overall, this book is an excellent resource for the Boston Police Strike, especially in lieu of the results (the First Red Scare).

This book is great for anyone interested in Boston history, labor history or American history in the period following WWI when labour unions were striking all across the country and fear and violence were shaping politics in America.

The riots, and the politically shrewd actions of Goverenor Calvin Coolidge led to his election as President in a time when the handling of unions and strikes was as important of an issue as any in modern day politics.

I highly recommend this book if you are interested in seeing what life was like in 1918, what happens when the police force of a large city strikes, and what chain of events can propel a man to the highest political office in the world.

Note that Dennis Lehane calls A City in Terror the "authoritative account" of the police strike, and lists is first in his acknowledgments for The Given Day as "an invaluable resource". I haven't read it yet but Amazon requires giving a rating so I give it 5 so as not unfairly to hurt its rep!