Visitors may wonder how Niagara Falls came to be the site of magnificent bridges, a famous cereal factory, and a picturesque New York state reservation, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Although many have always admired the natural splendor of the Falls, William Irwin explains that it was not until the mid-1800s that Niagara truly captured the American imagination. With the coming of John Roebling's railway suspension bridge in 1855 came the promise of a 'new' Niagara, one in which nature and technology could flourish in harmony. Although some saw the transformation of Niagara Falls as a national shame, for many others it stimulated utopian visions of a great modern America. Tourists flocked to a place that showcased both the beauty of nature and the marvels of technology. Companies such as Shredded Wheat (later absorbed by Nabisco) fed on the public's expectations of novel and revolutionary progress at Niagara. The Shredded Wheat factory and the Niagara Power Company became tourist attractions in their own right. Some developers went so far as to claim that their works exceeded Niagara's natural beauty. It was not until the 1920s that failed expectations revealed the scope of the blighted landscape.By taking us back to a period when Niagara Falls was appreciated as much for its utopian promise as for its natural beauty, The New Niagara reveals America's remarkable romance with technology and its faith in human mastery of the environment.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
The book does a splendid job of highlighting the interconnections among nature, technology, and culture. In addition to its clear prose and well-chosen illustrations, it engages the scholarly literature in a meaningful but understated manner. It is, in short, that rare kind of book that is well suited for a broad array of undergraduate courses, including those in environmental history, the history of technology, historical geography, American studies, and American history. --American Historical Review
The New Niagara is a most valuable work of American cultural and environmental history. --American Studies
The New Niagara takes a fresh look at the history of Niagara Falls and makes a major contribution to our understanding of the role the Falls has played in American culture. --John F. Sears
The New Niagara is a most valuable work of American cultural and environmental history. --American Studies
The New Niagara takes a fresh look at the history of Niagara Falls and makes a major contribution to our understanding of the role the Falls has played in American culture. --John F. Sears
About the Author
William Irwin was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. A historian by training, he has taught at universities in the United States and South Africa.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent look at the history of Niagara Falls,
By A Customer
This review is from: The New Niagara: Tourism, Technology, and the Landscape of Niagara Falls, 1776-1917 (Hardcover)
Being a native of Niagara Falls, I have read more than a few books which claim to represent the history of the city. Of all these books, this is the best. It covers the history of Niagara Falls thematically and chronologically; breaking down the history of the city into important periods industrially and technologically. Included in it are sections dealing with the impact of the railroads, as well as the impact of hydro power. In my opinion, it was an excellent book, and well worth the price
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