KEVIN BAKER — PARADISE ALLEY — HarperCollins (Oct., 2002) 1st ed., 1st printing

Description: KEVIN BAKERPARADISE ALLEYHarperCollins (October, 2002)1st printing Condition: book & jacket VERY GOOD with some shelfwear. Remainder mark on bottom. Otherwise, no markings (NOT ex-library). At the height of the Civil War, what begins with strong words and a few broken bottles will, over the course of five days, escalate into the worst urban conflagration in American history. Hundreds of thousands of poor Irish immigrants smolder with resentment against a war and a president that have cost them so many of their young men. When word spreads throughout New York's immigrant wards that a military draft is about to be implemented — a draft from which any rich man's son with $300 can buy an exemption — trouble begins to spill into the streets.- - - a story of race and hatred, of love and war, of risk and dauntless courage. Commentaries on line: I knew nothing about the draft riots before I read this book. It was amazing that this part of our history isn't something we learn in school. This novel is an exciting, fast paced, engrossing read. I also LOVED the description of the Irish famine, it was horrible and vividly real. I ran across this book by accident, and I am very glad that I did. Kevin Baker does an amazing job of bringing historical fiction to life. This novel takes place during the Civil War draft riots in the 19th century, and examines the events from a variety of perspectives. There are numerous storylines which intertwine at different point, and there are numerous characters that are developed. My only criticism was that it was difficult to follow the many different characters at first, but after a few chapters I was thoroughly hooked. Baker followed this book with two other novel in his "City of Fire" trilogy, Dreamland (which looked at New York City around the turn of the 20th century) and Striver's Row (which detailed the beginnings of a young Malcom X in Harlem in the 1940's). They are all three great novels. I do NOT, however, recommend this for the fainthearted - there are extremely graphic descriptions of both the Irish potato famine and the consequences of the mob's violence. Many passages are upsetting to read, particularly since this is based on real events. To say that the crowd behaved like animals is an insult to animals. Even the most vicious creatures do not torture and set fire to their victims. Perhaps most disturbing is the thought that, given how supporters of a certain political candidate have behaved recently, it seems quite possible that something like this could happen again. Brilliant! Mr. Baker weaves a compelling story I found hard to put down. His descriptions of the potato famine in Ireland and hte poorest of the poor who came to this country to live in the slums of New York city are truly wrenching. I think this book is very relevant today and all those who wish to do away with our government should see what it was like when chalk could be sold to the poor as milk because there was no government regulation. I really loved reading this book. I liked the way each chapter was told from a different character's perspective and the way the stories wove together. I learned new things about the history of our country and it made me want to read more, particularly about Irish immigration. It was a long book 600+ pages and only covered 3 days in time but it never felt tedious or drawn out._____________(I'll always combine shipping costs and refund any excess shipping charges for multiple-copy book orders.)For all "buy it now" items, please use ADD TO CART if you plan to order more than one item at the same time.______________ WOW! I wrote a book!!! — Come on! Take a look!! ———Just go here:http://www.ebay.com/itm/CTHULHU'S-COUSINS-and-Other-Weirdnesses-W-Paul-Ganley-Wildside-Press-2016-/252568665138?hash=item3ace43fc32 ___________________________________________________________Want to look at my other fantasy & mystery offerings (including Brian Lumley first editions)? CLICK HERE(and if you like what you see there, why not bookmark it for future visits!)

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End Time: 2025-01-14T21:30:28.000Z

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