Pittsburgh, Then and Now [Hardcover]

Arthur G. Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1990

This handsome volume presents 161 pairs of matching before and after photographs of Pittsburgh.  A treasury of images for those who remember the old Pittsburgh, those who are curious about its past, and anyone interested in Pittsburgh's fascinating evolution from “smoky city” to the city it is today.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Readers are fascinated with "then and now" photo studies, in which a view from a bygone era contrasts with the same scene as it exists today. This approach is also valuable to the planner or social historian. With its history of dynamic urban renewal, Pittsburgh is most appropriate for a "rephotographic survey." This book covers 161 sites encompassing most landmarks of the city. Fewer panoramas and more street-level closeups of the neighborhoods would have added variety and a welcome note of humanity to the views. Although the author considers this a book of record, not interpretation, some captions are overly brief, and add little to the photos. Despite its drawbacks, the book is a useful supplement to the standard histories, such as Stefan Lorant's Pitts burgh: The Story of an American City (LJ 6/15/65).
- Stephen Rees, Bucks Cty. Free Lib., Levittown, Pa.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“Uptown, downtown, North Side, Southside: Pittsburgh Then and Now evokes nostalgic feelings for newcomers as well as natives. . . . Smith's Pittsburgh is a treasure.”
--Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 325 pages
• Publisher: University of Pittsburgh Press (July 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822938308
• ISBN-13: 978-0822938309
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,607,313 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Pictoral History of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, April 17, 2000

By 

Paul M Pleczkowski (Pittsburgh PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pittsburgh, Then and Now (Hardcover)

Pittsburgh Then and Now is one of the best pictoral historical books around. Everybody knows about the history of steel in Pittsburgh but few know about its local history. This book is one that tells both stories. The pictures shown range from the steel mills of the Pittsburgh area, to the different steps of the city. Each picture of the past is contrasted with a picture of the present.

During each scene there is a brief explaination about the history of the change, although each picture could easily be explained in more detail. Even though these explainations may not be in great depth they help you to decide what area of history you may want to research, such as the steel mills, the north side, or the bridges.

This book is one that I would recommend to anyone who would like to see the history of Pittsburgh. Each picture gives you a feeling of what many long time residents of Pittsburgh viewed during its change.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good guide..., July 12, 2006

By 

D. Grimm "Dearest Tragedy" (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pittsburgh Then and Now (Paperback)

This book is a fantastic guide to all Pittsburghers, and everyone else, everywhere else. I am an interior design and architecture student and this was one of the most helpful books to not only learn about my city, but to learn about who designed each building, when it was erected, and if/when it was torn down.

It contains some of the best photographs of Pittsburgh, past and present, and really makes you realize how much this city has changed. I would recommend this to anyone, whether you can read or not, whether you have been in Pittsburgh or have lived here your entire life, if youre an architecture student, or just like old time photos of how things used to be.

A must have book. I bought one originally for a friend in Philly as a "hint" to come to Pittsburgh, and have since bought one for myself, my grandparents, and family out in California.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great bridge between Grandpa and and Grandson, November 9, 2006

By 

E. Orchowski "metalsmith" (NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pittsburgh Then and Now (Paperback)

My 27 year old son decided to spend a long weekend with his 86 year young grandfather in Pittsburgh. The "Then" and "Now" photos enabled old memories and Pittsburgh's progress to be on common ground between them. Of particular interest are the early pictures of the steel production complete with the "smoke" (what we called it in the 1950s, now understood to be toxic pollution), so obvious in the old photos. Many of the photos also confirm my impression that Pittsburgh, like many of the rust belt cities, had a certain flair that newer cosmopolitan areas lack. All in all, the three of us enjoyed the weekend together, contrasting then and now.