Customer Reviews

Journeys to the Heart of Baltimore

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I was very disappointed that Michael Olesker writes exactly the same way that he speaks. When he used to do commentaries on TV, here in Baltimore, I always got the feeling that he was just droning on and trying to sound more clever than he is. That being said, I did enjoy his book, after getting past his personality, which just oozes onto the pages. I also read the book as required reading, for a socialogy class on ethnic diversity. Mr. Olesker discusses the various immigrant groups that settled in Baltimore, and the struggles that they faced at various times. He also brings up the experiences of first generation Americans, with whom he grew up in the 50's and 60's, who were struggling to be American. He attended an elite, public, college prep, boys school, which was very diverse in the student population. He is able to drive home the point that in many ways the boys that he attended school with were oblivious to the racial/ethnic unrest that those outside of their microcosm were reminded of everyday. He was also able to make the point, with examples, that history repeats itself with every new wave of immigration into the City with discrimination toward the newest group.

I live in California, but went to school in Baltimore for a time, and visited frequently when I lived on the other coast. I love Baltimore. Period. With the rich and vibrant cultural and historical resources the city offers, I didn't think it would be possible to write a boring book about Baltimore. Well...

I just finished the book about an hour ago, and, like the other reviewer thus far, had to struggle to do so. I am not sure about the author's intent in writing this book. On one hand, he is nostalgic about the good old days, but in the next sentence bemoans the treatment of members of the various ethinc groups from which the city's fabric is woven. And there is a limited cast of characters that keeps reappearing...and reappearing.

At times I had the feeling that Mr. Olesker was attempting to impress me with his connections among the notables of Baltimore. If you really want a view of the people who make up this wonderful community, I'd recommend the highly entertaining fiction and non-fiction stories of Rafael Alvarez or the beautifully written and illustrated chapters from the city's history from The Baltimore Book, New Views of Local History, published by Temple University Press.

I was assigned this book for a Sociology class I am taking and being a born and raised in Baltimore, I was looking forward to reading about my hometown. Mr. Olesker attempts to tell a witty and poignant story about the melting pot that is Baltimore City, but simply winds up trying to write far beyond beyond his capabilities. The book was annoyingly overwraught with side story after side story without ever really coming to the point. I found that I was not the only person in my class who felt this way and it is unfortunate as I believe that the teacher will continue to use this as assigned reading. This book was frustrating to read and I had to force myself to the end, something I do not enjoy doing with books. If you want to truly learn about Baltimore city, come and visit us. Stop in any one of the local bars or restaurants downtown and you will surely find a local who is more than willing to chat with you about this wonderful city.