My friend and former boss, Alex Goldfeld, recently published a book: The North End: A Brief History of Boston’s Oldest Neighborhood. It’s a fantastic read (and I’m not just saying that because I know the author or helped edit the book).
While I was in grad school, I worked with Alex for two-plus years at the Museum of African American History. Traffic through the museum was slow (sadly), especially during the winter months, which meant that Alex and I had a lot of time to talk. When he wasn’t recommending restaurants or asking me about my family and friends, Alex was talking about history.
I can honestly say that I’ve never met anyone who loves history as much as he does (and I’m a nerd; I know a lot of people who love history). And though I love Boston with a fierce kind of devotion, love it despite its many flaws and horrendous weather, my love for this town doesn’t begin to rival Alex’s.
That being said, if you’re at all interested in Boston history, read his book. It’s easy to read, short, and, hey, it’s got pictures. Best of all, it’ll make you appreciate this amazing city if you don’t already, or appreciate it even more if, like me, you’re already a convert.