Drawing on previously unexamined diaries and letters, The Other Half marvelously re-creates the moving story of Jacob Riis, the legendary Progressi...
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reviews
May 14, 2009
Jeanette
rated it: 
When Jacob Riis died in 1914 he was considered a hero and mourned by millions, including his personal friend and fellow reformer Theodore Roosevelt. But how many of us today know who Jacob Riis was or what he did to gain such a reputation?
In his very readable and fascinating biography Tom Buk-Swienty has brought the story of Jacob Riis back to life. "As if plucked from a variant Horotio Alger novel, his is the story of a poor young Dane from the isolated yet picturesque medieval town More...
In his very readable and fascinating biography Tom Buk-Swienty has brought the story of Jacob Riis back to life. "As if plucked from a variant Horotio Alger novel, his is the story of a poor young Dane from the isolated yet picturesque medieval town More...
Jun 12, 2010
Riley
rated it:
Jacob Riis was a muckraking journalist who exposed the terrible conditions of New York's tenements before the turn of the 20th century. His own story is pretty incredible -- a heartbroken and destitute Danish immigrant, he became the city's top police reporter, got the girl he'd long dreamed of, and led and shaped reform movements of his day.
Jul 07, 2009
Rebekah
rated it:
A biography of the Danish immigrant who wrote How the Other Half Lives. It was a really compelling read. This guy knew first hand what it was like to live hand to mouth in the most crowded and filthy area on the planet at the time.
May 17, 2011
Thomas
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If the translation is anything like the original, this is one excellent book!
Aug 28, 2010
Robin
rated it:
Story one one man who was determined to show scars in the NY immigrant history.
Jun 13, 2011
John
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If I taught a class about immigration, The Other Half would be on the syllabus. This biography will have me reading Riis' own work, no doubt. Excellent English translation of the original text, too.
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