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cmbohn's review
2.0
The description calls it 'riveting.' I think that's being a little kind. At first I was interested in the story of Peter Charles L'Enfant, the architect who planned the city of Washington. But the story bogged down in detail pretty fast. Then the story would get so far ahead, then in the next chapter back up to some insignificant detail. I really found the story of the British invasion and destruction of Washington in 1812 to be great reading, but then the story slowed down again with more detail.
This book could have been so much better. The personalities are big; the history important. But the book was not well organized in its construction. The writing was usually good and even funny in parts. The conclusion should have been better. And it needed lots more photographs or illustrations of the people and places he was writing about. And just a minor grump - I hated the rough edged pages. It made it a nuisance to hold the book and turn the pages.
In all, good for true history buffs, but for most other people, only worth a skim.
This book could have been so much better. The personalities are big; the history important. But the book was not well organized in its construction. The writing was usually good and even funny in parts. The conclusion should have been better. And it needed lots more photographs or illustrations of the people and places he was writing about. And just a minor grump - I hated the rough edged pages. It made it a nuisance to hold the book and turn the pages.
In all, good for true history buffs, but for most other people, only worth a skim.
brandie185's review
4.0
I picked this book up because we were traveling to DC and I wanted to read something related.
I found this book completely fascinating.
I had no idea how DC came to be or all the controversy surrounding it!
Standiford was able to weave the story of how DC came to be and how it's first few decades went in a way that was informative and entertaining without being too technical.
I enjoyed the book tremendously and loved the history lessons learned it.
Sometimes, though, Standiford jumps around a bit, then goes back and it took me a few seconds to realize there was a jump. But overall, I enjoyed the book and recommend it!
I found this book completely fascinating.
I had no idea how DC came to be or all the controversy surrounding it!
Standiford was able to weave the story of how DC came to be and how it's first few decades went in a way that was informative and entertaining without being too technical.
I enjoyed the book tremendously and loved the history lessons learned it.
Sometimes, though, Standiford jumps around a bit, then goes back and it took me a few seconds to realize there was a jump. But overall, I enjoyed the book and recommend it!
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