Washington, D.C., is home to the most influential power brokers in the world. But how did we come to call D.C.—a place one contemporary observer called a mere swamp "producing nothing except myriads of toads and frogs (of enormous size)," a district that was strategically indefensible, captive to the politics of slavery, and a target of unbridled land speculation—our nation's capital? In Washington, award-winning author Fergus M. Bordewich turns his eye to the backroom deal making and shifting alliances among our Founding Fathers and in so doing pulls back the curtain on the lives of the slaves who actually built the city. The answers revealed in this eye-opening and well-researched book are not only surprising and exciting but also illuminate a story of unexpected triumph over a multitude of political and financial obstacles, including fraudulent real estate speculation, overextended financiers, and management more apt for a "banana republic" than an emerging world power. In an engrossing work that reveals the hidden and unsavery side of the nation's beginnings, Bordewich once again brings his novelist's sensibility to a little-known chapter in American history.
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"Top notch book. The author artfully moves back and forth from the numerous personages involved in the project. Well researched and factually incredible I highly recommend this book." — Vince (5 out of 5 stars)
"Top notch book. The author artfully moves back and forth from the numerous personages involved in the project. Well researched and factually incredible I highly recommend this book."
“Bordewich tells a fascinating tale, and tells it well.”
Bordewich tells a fascinating tale, and tells it well.
" I really enjoyed the beginning and the end, ie the parts about DC. There was way too much tangential storyline about slavery and I felt the narrative was too much about African Americans and the capital. The book's title could have been about that. "
" I actually never finished it. Interesting but not gripping. "
" This is quite a tale: political machinations, unfunded real estate speculation (how timely) and slave labor are all featured in this biography of the capital city. "
" Okay so far it is interesting. It was last months book club book.I got to page 68 and have retired it to the bathroom. It has interesting facts that I didn't know, very wordy. I think the book could be half the size. "
" A bit dry in places but very interesting overall. I learned a lot about how the location for the capital was selected and how the city was ultimately designed and built. Intriguing part of our history that many of us never learn about. "
" How the site of the U.S. capital was decided, the failed attempt to fund its construction through private real estate development, and its consequent rocky start until government money was appropriated. "
" This book really pales in comparison with "Grand Avenues". That book, primarily because of it's focus on L'Efant and his plan really hits the mark...this one just does not do the same. "
" Slightly more enjoyable than the weather during a typical DC July. "
Fergus M. Bordewich is the author of several books, among them America’s Great Debate: Henry Clay, Stephen A. Douglas, and the Compromise That Preserved the Union, which won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize in history. His articles have appeared in many magazines and newspapers. He lives in San Francisco. Visit him at FergusBordewich.com.
Richard Allen is an accomplished and respected theatrical actor whose work includes Ragtime and PBS’ Great Performances: Play On! His voice can be heard on numerous television and radio productions, as well as the animated series Jumanji. Allen is also the winner of seven AudioFile Earphones Awards.
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