Reveals that stereotypical ethnic neighborhoods have developed into multicultural communities that use ethnic symbolism as a means for inclusion, not exclusion.

In the last third of the 19th century Boston grew from a crowded merchant town, in which nearly everybody walked to work, to a modern divided metropolis. The street railway created this division of the metropolis into an inner city of commerce and slums and an outer city of commuter suburbs. This book tells who built the new city, and why, and how.

"Herein, we bring you to sites that have been central to the lives of 'the people' of Greater Boston over four centuries. You'll visit sites associated with the area's indigenous inhabitants and with the individuals and movements who sought to abolish slavery, to end war, challenge militarism, and bring about a more peaceful world, to achieve racial equity, gender justice, and sexual liberation, and to secure the rights of workers. We take you to some well-known sites, but more often to ones far off the well-beaten path of the Freedom Trail, to places in Boston's outlying neighborhoods. We also visit sites in numerous other municipalities that make up the Greater Boston region-from places such as Lawrence, Lowell and Lynn to Concord and Plymouth. The sites to which we do 'travel' include homes given that people's struggles, activism, and organizing sometimes unfold, or are even birthed in many cases in living rooms and kitchens. Trying to capture a place as diverse and dynamic as Boston is highly challenging. (One could say that about any 'big' place.) We thus want to make clear that our goal is not to be comprehensive, or to 'do justice' to the region. Given the constraints of space and time as well as the limitations of knowledge--both our own and what is available in published form--there are many important sites, cities, and towns that we have not included. Thus, in exploring scores of sites across Boston and numerous municipalities, our modest goal is to paint a suggestive portrait of the greater urban area that highlights its long-contested nature. In many ways, we merely scratch the region's surface--or many surfaces--given the multiple layers that any one place embodies. In writing about Greater Boston as a place, we run the risk of suggesting that the city writ-large has some sort of essence. Indeed, the very notion of a particular place assumes intrinsic characteristics and an associated delimited space. After all, how can one distinguish one place from another if it has no uniqueness and is not geographically differentiated? Nonetheless, geographer Doreen Massey insists that we conceive of places as progressive, as flowing over the boundaries of any particular space, time, or society; in other words, we should see places as processual or ever-changing, as unbounded in that they shape and are shaped by other places and forces from without, and as having multiple identities. In exploring Greater Boston from many venues over 400 years, we embrace this approach. That said, we have to reconcile this with the need to delimit Greater Boston--for among other reasons, simply to be in a position to name it and thus distinguish it from elsewhere"--

This essential guide of walks and light hikes leads outdoor enthusiasts off Boston's beaten track to explore some of the famous city's most unique neighborhoods.

Boston offers a unique blend of traditional and trendy…old and new, with ultramodern skyscrapers towering beside colonial historical sites. Whether you want to explore incredible museums or shop tempting boutiques, take in a game or take a cruise, this book points the way with info on: Attractions for history lovers, sports lovers, and food lovers Seven great itineraries and four fun day trips Public Garden, the first botanical garden in the U.S., legendary Fenway Park, Longfellow National Historic Site, and more All kinds of restaurants, ranging from local seafood and pizza favorites and ethnic eateries to elegant, high-end dining and unique neighborhood cafes Shopping in stores that range from cheap to chic, boho to bourgeois, including Newbury Street, the “rodeo Drive of New England” Walking the 3-mile Freedom Trail, Harvard Square, Commonwealth Avenue, or around Walden Pond Taking in fantastic live performances or relaxing in fun pubs and bars Like every For Dummies travel guide, Boston For Dummies, 4th Edition, includes: Down-to-earth trip-planning advice What you shouldn’t miss — and what you can skip The best hotels and restaurants for every budget Handy Post-it Flags to mark your favorite pages With this friendly guide, you’ll enjoy a Boston vacation that suits you, whether that’s exploring the old or celebrating the new.

An uncommon look at Boston, this recipe collection tours the city's neighborhoods and offers a taste of the rich history, culture and food traditions that are unique to Boston. This culinary tour features recipes highlighting local New England flavors.

Sip and taste your way through Boston. Boston Food Crawls is an exciting culinary tour through this historic yet modern city. Tap into the unique vibes and flavors of neighborhood restaurants and bars. Hit the Theater District for dinner and a show. Just in town for the weekend? Take the classy but sassy crawl through the Back Bay. Lifelong Bostonians will love the Classic Chowder Crawl (did your favorite make the list?), and everyone will find something new on the bonus rooftop crawl. Put on your walking shoes and your stretchy pants, and dig into the Hub one dish at a time.