Pittsburgh, Then and Now
Readers are fascinated with "then and now" photo studies, in which a view from a bygone era contrasts with the same scene as it exists today. This approach is also valuable to the planner or social historian. With its history of dynamic urban renewal, Pittsburgh is most appropriate for a "rephotographic survey." This book covers 161 sites encompassing most landmarks of the city. Fewer panoramas and more street-level closeups of the neighborhoods would have added variety and a welcome note of humanity to the views. Although the author considers this a book of record, not interpretation, some captions are overly brief, and add little to the photos. Despite its drawbacks, the book is a useful supplement to the standard histories, such as Stefan Lorant's Pitts burgh: The Story of an American City (LJ 6/15/65).- Stephen Rees, Bucks Cty. Free Lib., Levittown, Pa.Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.