Peculiar Paradise: A History of Blacks in Oregon, 1788-1940

by Elizabeth McLagan

A history of blacks in Oregon.

Genres: History, 20th Century, Race

230 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1980

Reviews

[Ryan Mishap]

Hard to rate this--this is history I want to know, but it is threadbare and clinical (perhaps reflecting its genesis in 1980). Oregon is such a white state, with a white history, and most of the historical records record white supremacist proclamations and actions rather than the lives of black folk. Interesting to see the names of so many despicable racists from the past that currently stand as monikers for counties, towns, and other places, in that disheartening way. I can't really recommend this, but I also think it a worthwhile book.

Compiled by a white woman, who acknowledges in the introduction that she can't have the perspective of or access to the black community--I ponder why she did this, didn't turn it down and say she wasn't the appropriate person to write it.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, just Wow!
my early years I grew up on the East Coast in the 60s, so learning about the civil war, and the history that blacks played was a must.
Then we moved to the West Coast and what a change. I lived and finished out my school years in a town with zero black people. Talk about a culture shock. It was also strange that no one ever even talked about black people or knew any. I have always wondered as I aged what the black people did to help out the West?
Let me tell you, this book is an eye opener. I loved it. From the time I was moved to Oregon, the "big City folk" of Portland always said that the West Coast cared for everyone and it's all love, peace and freedom. Bull pucky.
Hard to believe I waited till I was in my 50's to find a book that spelled it all out for me.
I highly recommend this book anyone that likes pure historical facts.

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay- I learned a lot about Oregon and it's not so secret racist history. I understand that this book was published in 1980, but it was littered with spelling errors, lack of punctuation, and the use of certain terms outside of the primary sources quoted.

Despite that, the primary sources used have real historical value and can really teach us the attitudes of Oregonians in 1788-1940. The newspaper articles really reflected the social climate of the state.

There is good tie in with California and Washington as well towards the end. Southern Oregon is discussed a lot in this book, as well as the Portland-Salem area.

We have to really examine these primary sources and learn- we need to be better.

educational purposes and personal growth- 7/10 recommend
prose and narrative: 3/10 recommend

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to agree with many of the reviews that precede mine. The content of this book is amazing and detailed, a rare trove of the strange and somewhat obscure racial past of Oregon. It can be a challenging and scholarly read, but don't let that stop you!

[Kbuxton · Rating 3 out of 5]

4 stars for the content, 2 stars for the writing style.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gets a 4 for content and a 2 for writing and organization.

[Melissa Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting and informative.