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Streets of Newtowne Hardcover – June 1, 2023

by Suzanne Preston Blier (Author), Jim Blake (Illustrator)
5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 6 ratings
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Streets of Newtowne addresses the broader history of Newtowne (Cambridge, Massachusetts).While this is the story of one town (my town today), it is also the story of our country. Each chapter features one or more key figures in the telling of this story - from the female Native chief, Sqa Sachem (“Female Ruler”) who met the first pilgrim settlers, to Anne Hutchinson and others who fled the rigidity of the town’s religious and civic rules, to the wealthy slave and plantation owners here, to the Boston Tea Party participants and the arrival of George Washington to take command of the army, to the evacuation of the Loyalists, to the Civil War and the battle within the city between local elites and new émigrés, to the city’s growing importance as a technology center. Every path, street, and water route at this important center held onto its memories of important events that unfolded on or near these critical routes of communication, action, and change. The imagery and text of Streets of Newtowne togetherharness this rich history offering a unique verbal and visual narrative that is both compelling and easy to grasp. Each chapter focuses on key conflicts and challenges that the city has faced over its long history –from religious fundamentalism to the primacy of local political voices, to the challenges of a new and largely émigré community, to issues around over-development and climate crisis. While this book features many of the core conflicts as well as the well-known men who helped to shape this area - from Paul Revere and George Washington to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and the blacksmith, Dexter Pratt, special attention is given to the native land holders, from the female chief who ruled the region at the time the pilgrims arrived and signed the early deeds, along with Caleb Cheeshahteamuck, the first Native American graduate of Harvard College. Women figured prominently here, among these, Anne Bradstreet (America’s first poet) and Anne Hutchinson, the local midwife who pushed for more religious freedom and after her heresy trial was banished from the city taking many religious followers with her. Important in Streets of Newtowne too are various people of African descent. One was Onesimus, the enslaved African, gifted to Puritan minister, Cotton Mather, who offered insights on African smallpox inoculation practices, saving many lives. Another was the enslaved and then freed Darby Vassall who greeted George Washington at the gates of his Vassall estate home (now on Brattle Street) after his Loyalist owners fled the city. Darby later would purchase his own home in Cambridge and work as a caterer. Still another is African American author, Harriet Jacobs, who owned and ran a boarding house in Cambridge not far from the first market. Cambridge now faces serious crises – environmental, affordable housing, over development with labs. The book concludes with a return to our native beginnings and ask the reader (and residents to decide: where do we go from here?
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  1. Reading age
    9 - 11 years
  2. Print length
    80 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    4 - 6
  5. Dimensions
    8 x 0.4 x 10 inches
  6. Publisher
    Imagine and Wonder
  7. Publication date
    June 1, 2023
  8. ISBN-10
    1637610750
  9. ISBN-13
    978-1637610756
  10. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
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From the Publisher

The Streets of Newtowne

A story of Cambridge, MA.

"The Streets of Newtowne" is a historical book that explores the development of Cambridge, Massachusetts, from its Indigenous origins to the present day. The narrative focuses on the city's pathways, waterways, and streets, covering key aspects such as Indigenous and Puritan life, the American Revolution, slavery, the Civil War, industrial growth, immigration, and the influence of renowned universities. The book is divided into eight period-specific chapters with accompanying illustrations, offering a unique perspective on the forces that have shaped Cambridge and its role in American history. While this is the story of one town, it is also the story of our country. Artwork by Jim Blake.

The Streets of Newtowne

Discover the Rich History of North America’s First Planned City through ‘The Streets of Newtowne’

The Streets of Newtowne is the history of the first planned city in North America (Cambridge, MA.) from its Indigenous origins to the present day, as told from the perspective of its varied pathways, waterways, and streets. The text engages the legacy of indigenous life, Puritan life, the American Revolution, slavery, the Civil War, as well as the city’s industrial growth, new immigrant vitality, and famed universities. We witness the forces that made this city, state, and country what it became, in eight period-specific chapters and accompanying illustrations.

The Streets of Newtowne

The Streets of Newtowne

The Streets of Newtowne

William Martin, New York Times bestselling author of Cape Cod and Harvard Yard.

“Travel the dirt pathways, the rough cobblestones, and the smooth paved streets of Cambridge in this fascinating trip through time, an amazingly comprehensive little volume, richly illustrated and warmly written about one of America’s coolest, smartest, and most interesting towns. It is written for young readers, but no matter how old you are, you’ll be surprised on every page.”

Charles Sullivan, Executive Director, Cambridge Historical Commission, co-author: Building Old Cambridge.

“Harvard Square occupies a site originally intended to be the capital of Massachusetts Bay Colony that has been the location of Harvard College since 1636. Harvard professor and community leader Suzanne Preston Blier has written a vivid and refreshingly original book that brings to life the complex history of this unique community.”

Henry Louis Gates Jr., Harvard University Professor; Host of PBS Series. Finding Your Roots.

“In The Streets of Newtowne,” Blier wonderfully retells the story of North America’s first planned city, Cambridge, MA. The book highlights the contributions to the city’s rich history made by its Indigenous, African, and more recent immigrant communities, as well as the enormous contributions made by its female residents. A model retelling of American history by focusing on the fascinating evolution of one of America’s most vibrant, historically significant, and rightly celebrated cities.”

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Colorful Streets of Newtowne provides history for the young with voices that other texts leave out. With Blier’s critical outlook on history, lovely illustrations, and key thinking questions sprinkled in." —Cambridge Day.
 

“Travel the dirt pathways, the rough cobblestones, and the smooth paved streets of Cambridge in this fascinating trip through time, an amazingly comprehensive little volume, richly illustrated and warmly written about one of America’s coolest, smartest, and most interesting towns. It is written for young readers, but no matter how old you are, you’ll be surprised on every page.” —William Martin, New York Times bestselling author of Cape Cod and Harvard Yard.

“Harvard Square occupies a site originally intended to be the capital of Massachusetts Bay Colony that has been the location of Harvard College since 1636. Harvard professor and community leader Suzanne Preston Blier has written a vivid and refreshingly original book that brings to life the complex history of this unique community.” —Charles Sullivan, Executive Director of the Cambridge Historical Commission and co-author of Building Old Cambridge. 

“In The Streets of Newtowne, Blier wonderfully retells the story of North America’s first planned city, Cambridge, MA. The book highlights the contributions to the city’s rich history made by its Indigenous, African, and more recent immigrant communities, as well as the enormous contributions made by its female residents. A model retelling of American history by focusing on the fascinating evolution of one of America’s most vibrant, historically significant, and rightly celebrated cities.” —Henry Louis Gates Jr., Harvard University Professor and host of the PBS Series Finding Your Roots. 





 

About the Author

Suzanne P. Blier Ph.D. is a tenured professor at Harvard (in the Art History and African, African American Studies Departments) and has written many award-winning books in her field – both trade publications and more specialized works. Most recently, she published Picasso’s Demoiselles: The Untold Origins of a Modern Masterpiece, winner of the 2020 Robert Motherwell Award and is now completing a new academic work, 1325: How Medieval Africa Made the World Modern (Yale).

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Imagine and Wonder; First Edition (June 1, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 80 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1637610750
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1637610756
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 9 - 11 years
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 4 - 6
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8 x 0.4 x 10 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 6 ratings

About the author

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Suzanne Preston Blier

Suzanne Preston Blier

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Suzanne Preston Blier (b.1948) is from Burlington, Vt. After falling love with Africa during a tour in the Peace Corps tour, she went on to earn her Ph.D. in Art History and Archaeology at Columbia University. Now Allen Whitehill Clowes Professor of Fine Arts and of African and African American History at Harvard University, her books address various issues of African art and architecture, and have won an array of awards. She also has received a Simon Guggenheim fellowship, and others from Fulbright, the NEH, the Getty, the National Gallery of Art, and the Social Science Research Council.

Customer reviews

5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5
6 global ratings
Here-to-for unknown treasures revealed.
5 Stars
Here-to-for unknown treasures revealed.
Some say an unusual book for a Harvard professor, but it takes a person of the author's obvious intellectual gifts to bring such valuable education forward in a format that a young reader can connect with. The illustrations by Jim Blake are extraordinary and complement the rich depth of the narrative with powerful visual communication. This book is a children's history rockstar.
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Top reviews from the United States

Scott B
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book!
Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2023
Verified Purchase
Being a big fan of the area and planning a trip soon, this book was so full of relevant information. There are so many more things to see than I realized and this book had just the right amount of information for me and my families needs. Can’t wait to see all of this in person.
One person found this helpful
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Molley C. Mills
5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read history that comes alive
Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2023
This book The Streets of Newtowne, shares the history of the beginning of America in a way that really brings it to life. Your imagination is stimulated in historical ways that will surprise you.
One person found this helpful
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Simon Mills
5.0 out of 5 stars Here-to-for unknown treasures revealed.
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2023
Some say an unusual book for a Harvard professor, but it takes a person of the author's obvious intellectual gifts to bring such valuable education forward in a format that a young reader can connect with. The illustrations by Jim Blake are extraordinary and complement the rich depth of the narrative with powerful visual communication. This book is a children's history rockstar.
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Simon Mills
5.0 out of 5 stars Here-to-for unknown treasures revealed.
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2023
Some say an unusual book for a Harvard professor, but it takes a person of the author's obvious intellectual gifts to bring such valuable education forward in a format that a young reader can connect with. The illustrations by Jim Blake are extraordinary and complement the rich depth of the narrative with powerful visual communication. This book is a children's history rockstar.
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One person found this helpful
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Peter A Blass
5.0 out of 5 stars Living History
Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2023
Very cool book tells the history of such an interesting and long standing area. Starts at the beginning of our Country and still thrives to this day. Not only for Massachusetts people but for anyone who wants to understand the history of our nation.
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Andrew Stevens
5.0 out of 5 stars A keeper
Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2023
The richness and depth of this book is remarkable. At first, I did not realize it is a book for children, and actually, it is also perfectly suitable for adults. I am going to share it with my students and have them do a study on Cambridge. I wish all books were as well researched.
One person found this helpful
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