Gaining Ground: A History of Landmaking in Boston [Hardcover]

Nancy S. Seasholes (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0262194945 | ISBN-13: 978-0262194945 | Publication Date: August 29, 2003 | Edition: 1

Fully one-sixth of Boston is built on made land. Although other waterfront cities also have substantial areas that are built on fill, Boston probably has more than any city in North America. In Gaining Ground historian Nancy Seasholes has given us the first complete account of when, why, and how this land was created.The story of landmaking in Boston is presented geographically; each chapter traces landmaking in a different part of the city from its first permanent settlement to the present. Seasholes introduces findings from recent archaeological investigations in Boston, and relates landmaking to the major historical developments that shaped it. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, landmaking in Boston was spurred by the rapid growth that resulted from the burgeoning China trade. The influx of Irish immigrants in the mid-nineteenth century prompted several large projects to create residential land--not for the Irish, but to keep the taxpaying Yankees from fleeing to the suburbs. Many landmaking projects were undertaken to cover tidal flats that had been polluted by raw sewage discharged directly onto them, removing the "pestilential exhalations" thought to cause illness. Land was also added for port developments, public parks, and transportation facilities, including the largest landmaking project of all, the airport.A separate chapter discusses the technology of landmaking in Boston, explaining the basic method used to make land and the changes in its various components over time. The book is copiously illustrated with maps that show the original shoreline in relation to today's streets, details from historical maps that trace the progress of landmaking, and historical drawings and photographs.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Why and how Boston was transformed by landmaking.

"We city walkers and history buffs have all picked up a little architectural history. Architecture is fun, but it won't tell you why Boston looks the way it does. You have to know how there came to be land beneath the streets! Here at last is an easy-reading and complete history of Boston's three centuries of landmaking. With Dr. Seasholes you can follow the story neighborhood by neighborhood or view the city as a whole. This is public history at its best."--Sam Bass Warner, Jr., author of *Greater Boston*

"For nearly 400 years Bostonians have been busy digging, filling and making land. Whether it was simply dumping refuse into open spaces between wharves or laying out complicated plans to fashion new neighborhoods, we have probably made more land than any other city in America. Filling in is what Boston is all about. In a book that can only be described as a tour de force Seasholes takes us on a tour of 'gained ground.' With the precision of an engineer, the perspective of an architect, the sense of a historian and the perseverance of an archaeologist, she is our Baedeker across every inch of new ground. It is simply not possible to understand Boston without knowing this history, and it is impossible to know this history without reading Seasholes. If you can handle the weight of this hefty volume then tuck it under your arm and head out to the streets and use it to discover Boston underfoot."--William M. Fowler, Jr., Director, Massachusetts Historical SocietyPlease note: Endorser gives permission to excerpt from quote.

About the Author

"*Gaining Ground* is now the definitive treatment of Boston's landmaking. Its scope -- from the central waterfront to East Boston and from 1630 to today -- the depth of its research, and its use of historic maps to illustrate each project make it a truly encyclopedic work."--Richard Garver, Deputy Director, Boston Redevelopment Authority

Product Details

• Hardcover: 512 pages
• Publisher: The MIT Press; 1 edition (August 29, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0262194945
• ISBN-13: 978-0262194945
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 9.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #414,209 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #61 in Books > Travel > United States > States > Massachusetts

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Encyclopedic, entertaining, extraordinary - simply the best!, October 13, 2003

By 

William M. Fowler (reading, ma United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gaining Ground: A History of Landmaking in Boston (Hardcover)

Seasholes must have combed every archive and walked every inch of Boston to produce this monumental book. Not only is it exhaustive, but it is entertaining as well. Although this is a handsome book it is not a cooffe table enterprise. This is a book you will want to take with you as you walk the streets of Boston. This book is destined to become dog eared and underlined. It is simply a must for anyone interested in the history of this great city.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Spectacular Work., March 31, 2007

By 

Stefan W. "Computer Geek and Fan of Engineeri... (Boston area, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gaining Ground: A History of Landmaking in Boston (Hardcover)

Disclaimer: I was very fortunate to take the Harvard University class tought by the author, which uses this book as the class text.

This book is a spectacular work of research and writing. The author truly shows her passion for the subject.
The text presents a unique view of Boston history, with stunning detail and even intrigue. The historical and original maps are without equal, and the photographs and illustrations are superb selections.
Pardon the cliché, but truly I found myself unable to put this book down!

Her recent book Walking Tours of Boston's Made Land is also a must-have for anyone who wants to get close-up and personal with Boston history.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gaining Ground, August 3, 2005

By 

Lew Craig "rockyroad" (Payson, AZ, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Gaining Ground: A History of Landmaking in Boston (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful book about how Boston changed in the last 200+ years. It is very readable, but I especially enjoyed the pictures and maps. It is an excellent book for anyone interested in the subject.