Richmond: The Story of a City [Paperback]

Virginius Dabney (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0813912741 | ISBN-13: 978-0813912745 | Publication Date: June 19, 1990 | Edition: Rev Exp Su

Richmond: The Story of a City chronicles the growth of this historic community over nearly four centuries from its founding in the early 1700s by William Byrd II to its most recent urban and suburban developments. In this expanded edition Virginius Dabney updates his history by examining the developments in racial relations, cultural institutions, and downtown architecture that have taken place in Richmond over the past two decades.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Pulitzer Prize-winning editor of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Virginius Dabney has been president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors, chairman of the U.S. Historical Society, and president of the Virginia Historical Society. His many books include: Virginia: The New Dominion; Dry Messiah: The Life of Bishop Cannon; Below the Potomac; Liberalism in the South; and Mr. Jefferson's University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 436 pages
• Publisher: University of Virginia Press; Rev Exp Su edition (June 19, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813912741
• ISBN-13: 978-0813912745
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #684,156 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great way to spend an afternoon, February 9, 2008

By 

R. L. Furney Jr. "The Cavalier" (Dunedin, FL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Richmond: The Story of a City (Paperback)

As the book says in the intro, "Richmond is a city infatuated with its past". This book does a great job explaining the city, why it was founded, its major industries, etc. All the way from its earliest beginnings as a major river port, to its emergence as an important railroad hub, to its role as the capital for the Confederate States of America. Right up to its importance as a financial and business center of today. This is a great comprehensive study of this city and its past.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Standard, March 22, 2010

By 

Jon L. Albee "Faulkner Wannabe" (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Richmond: The Story of a City (Paperback)

Though a bit out of date by now, you're not going to find a better, more comprehensive treatment of Richmond history than this one. Dabney wrote for the Times-Dispatch for half a century, so he knows a few things about the city.

This book is superb up through about 1970, then things really fall off (it was first published in 1976). The reason that's such a problem is that Richmond is a far different city today than it was back then. In 1976, Richmond was in sharp decline, written off as a poor, racist, staid, provincial Southern city lingering in a century-long, post-war funk. It reminded one of a smaller Baltimore or St. Louis, or of Mobile rather than the rising, renaissance city we see today. Dabney tries to leave us hopeful for the future, but we're left with the feeling that, although Richmond really mattered at one time, it doesn't really matter now.

As Richmond is, indeed, a city consumed with its past, it had not so much respect for that past in the mid 70s. You'll now find that attitude completely transformed, as Richmond is more appreciated for its vast cultural resources, beautiful architecture, diverse economy and rich history than ever before, both within and without the city limits.