Paradise Bronx by Ian Frazier recounts the history of the storied borough of The Bronx through Frazier's eyes as he walks that famed place. It's an interesting enough read. Frazier uses historical events that fashioned the Bronx as his background. mostly successfully. A little too much time is spent on the events of the Revolution, in my opinion, as opposed to some of the more recent events of history that would resonate more with the reader. It's a read that leaves you wanting more in terms to the people of The Bronx, but you do walk away knowing what created it. Thank you to #netgalley and #FarrarStrausGiroux for the opportunity to preview this book.

I was expecting this book would be an all encompassing look back at having lived and grown up in the Bronx, but I guess George Washington and his Generals are more important. This book covered a lot, especially about the Revolutionary War, but just seemed to skim over other things that made the Bronx the most feared part of NYC or why people would continue to live there. I found that it did not go into the depth about these topics as much as the Revolution. It gave details about colonists and Native Americans who died in attacks, but just mentions young people who met their fates on the streets. There is some biographical information about people who tried to make the borough a better, safer place to live. It mentions the blackouts. Yankee Stadium, Son of Sam, neighborhoods, the El, stick ball, Car! What about the bakeries, the deli's, the pizzerias! It may give those who have not been in that part of the city an idea of what they are missing, but for those of us who lived there, it missed quite a bit. I thank NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for the look back.