How Newark Became Newark: The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of an American City

by Brad R. Tuttle

Founded in 1666, Newark was a thriving town long before much of New Jersey was even populated. That early lead widened as this growing metropolis became a manufacturing center in the early 19th century. Brad R. Tuttle's How Newark Became Newark charts the uneven progress of the city as it struggled with market competition, economic downturns, and changing population patterns. This lively narrative history of New Jersey's largest city adds new depth of a place that most of us think of "New York's little sister."

Genres: Nonfiction, American History

352 pages, Hardcover

First published February 16, 2009

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a time where suburban life and culture largely dominates the geopolitical power grid in New Jersey, terms like slum, white flight, and urban decay are deeply rooted in the middle and upper middle class American lexicon. However, this was not always the case.
In How Newark Became Newark, Brad Tuttle traces the long, inconsistent past of one of America's most poorly administrated cities, and in the process develops a general platform for which a host of the country's urban areas could fit in one way or another. In doing so, we become witnesses to multiple transformations of a place that has changed so drastically over its 340+ years of existence that it becomes difficult to provide an overarching adjective to describe it.
Tuttle's weakness comes in the overemphasis on back-stories, foreshadowing in the form of heavily descriptive anecdotes, and the like. However, he does not do this at the expense of the promise of the title. Although the reader of this book will know about Newark's multiple industrial conventions of the 1870's and the political and familial circumstances of William Wright, they will also come away from this book with a deep knowledge of the various factors that contributed to the plight of Newark as well as greater urban trends throughout the 20th century.

[Yemoss · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars for content, 4 for effort. mostly enjoyed the early history, the founding Puritan families that broke its ground, prior, of course to its indigenous inhabitants which we always too easily forget. politics get dirtier going from pre to industrial times and the riots are at the doorstep in 1967, in several cities nationwide. neglect, abandon, corruption and greed follow a slow march toward modern times. I wanted to learn more about the different family experiences, the food, the music and arts - the culture itself, rather than under the table politics and poor city planning which seems to define Newark to this day. let's see what direction Mr. Baraka steers it, and hope for better.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

All my Grandparents came to Newark from Greece. My folks were raised there. I was born there. This book puts together many things I had heard about, but did not understand. It starts off with Newark’s beginnings, which very much intrigued me. It told the story of neighborhoods that my family and friends often spoke of. The riots are covered in detail right thru Newark today and it's rebirth. I recommended this book if you knew Newark, New Jersey.

[Karen Fiandaca · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting history of Newark - I liked the early history better than the page after page of corruption stories. Perhaps more suited to those who had closer ties with Newark than me....

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book went into lots of detail covering most of the history of Newark up to the Booker years. It jumps around a bit in time at certain spots but its usually to illustrate a point.

[Katy White · Rating 3 out of 5]

Succinct and informative history of Newark. Not exhaustive; but a good place to start.