Skid Road: An Informal Portrait of Seattle [Paperback]

Murray Morgan (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Univ of Washington Pr; Rev Sub edition (October 1981)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0295958464
• ISBN-13: 978-0295958460
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #576,187 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars History as Literature, May 23, 2004

By 

James Kielland (Montezuma, Costa Rica) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Skid Road: An Informal Portrait of Seattle (Paperback)

Skid Road by Murray Morgan has become somewhat of a classic in the Seattle area, where having read it is basically an indication that you know something about the history of the city.

The book itself is not really what many people would refer to as a history book, however. The subtitle says it all: "an informal portrait." While the book can be read and enjoyed with little or no knowledge of Seattle history, this is a book that's best read for the purpose of providing vivid color to one's understanding of the history of the city. If you're looking for a traditional history with lots of data, maps, and so forth there are better places to begin.

But as a work of literature this is a wonderful book. Morgan is an amazing writer and storyteller, and Skid Road serves as a wonderful example of what local history writing can be. If you have a strong appreciation of quality writing this book will hold your attention even if you have no interest in Seattle.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars before it was Yesler, June 6, 2003

By 

Gabriel Murray - See all my reviews

This review is from: Skid Road: An Informal Portrait of Seattle (Paperback)

This is the consensus choice among local historians and writers for the best history of Seattle's founding, and it deserves to be. Morgan's portraits of pioneers like Doc Maynard and Arthur Denny are exhilirating and informative, and the book reads like a collection of excellent short stories rather than a dry recollection. If you are familiar with Seattle, this will change the way you look at Pioneer Square and the waterfront, but a knowledge of the city is not necessary to enjoy these stories of a city's establishment and maturation.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Murray Morgan and Skid Road, August 27, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Skid Road: An Informal Portrait of Seattle (Paperback)

Murray Morgan was obviously an historian, and it is clear from his writing that he loved the N.W. This was no, "romance" novel, but a great narritive history of the beginnings of Seattle. I found it inviting, informative, engaging and on several occasions I laughed aloud at the humor of the character and writer as well. It was a joyfully and vividly written portrayal of Seattle's first 100 years and I loved it!