Massachusetts Avenue in the Gilded Age: Palaces & Privilege (Brief History) by Mark N. Ozer

by Mark N. Ozer

Welcome to Millionaire s Row, where the Gilded Age mansions and clubs of high society still exude a faded elegance. It was here that fiery Martha Wadsworth avid sportswoman and social maven and wealthy hostess Nellie Patterson mingled with the likes of famous inventor Alexander Graham Bell and miner-turned-millionaire Thomas Walsh. From the Union Station Plaza and Embassy Row to Dupont Circle and the Washington National Cathedral, author Mark N. Ozer examines the extant Beaux-Arts architecture of Massachusetts Avenue mansions and tells the tales of socialites and politicians who lived and played behind their grand facades."

Genres: History, Nonfiction

Mass Market Paperback

First published March 3, 2010

About the author

Dr. Mark Ozer was a neurologist associated with Georgetown University Medical School (Washington, D.C., United States), and a historian.

Reviews

[Katie Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

While full of interesting information, it’s not easy to follow and becomes more a jumping off point for those interested in dc history

[Scott Fuchs · Rating 2 out of 5]

VERY disappointing. Seemingly the work of a dilettante than the professor that he is credited as, in the bio.
Major goof: No map [evgen allowing for the privacy of some home owners.
More social history than architectural description and analysis.Instead us the seminal book on the subject porinted by the U.S. Government Printing office; same title.

[G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rambling social history. Best read in short snippets. I wanted to know more. A map would be helpful.

[Pamela Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

A BRIEF HISTORICAL OF GILDED AGE

119 PAGES OF THE ELITE OF THE AGE IN MASSACHUSETTS!?!
HAS A CONTENTS\ WORKS CONSULTED /CONCLUSUON !?!BLACK AND WHITE PICTURES WISH BOOK HAD MORE PICTURES BUT IF YOUR INTO DESCRIPTION THERE'S PLENTY IN THIS BOOK SIMPLE FAST INTERESTING FAST READ!?!

[Mysteryfan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short book aimed at readers interested in District history. The Gilded Age part of the title is a little misleading. It is a history of Mass Ave as it started pre-Civil War by Union Station and moved its way northwest as the city grew - not unlike the way Fifth Avenue grew. It could really have used a map or two and it does take an odd detour up Wisconsin Avenue to the National Cathedral. Many of the building around Dupont Circle are open during the embassy tours that take place each spring, so I've been inside some of those mentioned.