History to read
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Jordan Simpson
Apr 20, 2011, 12:16:51 PM4/20/11
to Summer Book Club
I don't know any good histories of Kansas City as a whole, but I've
found some popular histories of specific elements of our city. All of
these are widely available and the library has multiple copies of
each. I suggest we go on a 'field trip' to some significant location
(Negro League museum, a jazz club) after reading the book.
Elmwood Cemetery: Stories of Kansas City by Bruce Mathews
Collection of stories and photos on people buried in Elmwood Cemetery
(4900 E Truman Ave).
Kansas City Jazz: From Ragtime to Bebop by Frank Driggs
A history of jazz in one of its major centers (NYC, Chicago, and New
Orleans were the others). A "colorful tour" of the clubs, artists, and
alleyways that made Kansas City jazz unique.
Black Baseball in Kansas City by Larry Lester
Chronicle of black baseball leagues and players in Kansas City, up to
the KC Monarchs, one of the most prestigious teams of the Negro
League.
The Mafia and the Machine by Frank Hayde
A history of the mob in Kansas City, which by the 1950s was a "second
government" in the city.
found some popular histories of specific elements of our city. All of
these are widely available and the library has multiple copies of
each. I suggest we go on a 'field trip' to some significant location
(Negro League museum, a jazz club) after reading the book.
Elmwood Cemetery: Stories of Kansas City by Bruce Mathews
Collection of stories and photos on people buried in Elmwood Cemetery
(4900 E Truman Ave).
Kansas City Jazz: From Ragtime to Bebop by Frank Driggs
A history of jazz in one of its major centers (NYC, Chicago, and New
Orleans were the others). A "colorful tour" of the clubs, artists, and
alleyways that made Kansas City jazz unique.
Black Baseball in Kansas City by Larry Lester
Chronicle of black baseball leagues and players in Kansas City, up to
the KC Monarchs, one of the most prestigious teams of the Negro
League.
The Mafia and the Machine by Frank Hayde
A history of the mob in Kansas City, which by the 1950s was a "second
government" in the city.
longfellow
Apr 22, 2011, 2:23:16 AM4/22/11
to Summer Book Club
For me, the quality of writing determines my enjoyment of a book as
much as the content, probably more. I was able to take a peek at K.C.
Jazz and Mafia and Machine today with that in mind. Driggs is said to
be a crazy expert on jazz. Hayde grew up in K.C. and is in law
enforcement in CO. Neither author is a writer by profession, but both
books appear pretty readable and are said to be packed with
information. Hayde's is shorter and faster paced.
I love baseball, so I'm interested in getting a look at Lester's book
too. I think it's the shortest of the three. I like these three
options best because they're all extended narratives.
The Negro Leagues Baseball and Jazz museums are worth an afternoon,
though I think the Negro Leagues M. has a lot more to offer. There's a
good intro video and a few other interactive videos and such, but also
a lot of reading. The jazz museum is fairly unimpressive, focusing
only on four musicians, not all from K.C. There are smatterings of
info about others, some listening stations, and some cool antique
pieces of technology. Overall, not bad, but my visit to Jazz took much
less time than my perusal of the Negro Leagues.
much as the content, probably more. I was able to take a peek at K.C.
Jazz and Mafia and Machine today with that in mind. Driggs is said to
be a crazy expert on jazz. Hayde grew up in K.C. and is in law
enforcement in CO. Neither author is a writer by profession, but both
books appear pretty readable and are said to be packed with
information. Hayde's is shorter and faster paced.
I love baseball, so I'm interested in getting a look at Lester's book
too. I think it's the shortest of the three. I like these three
options best because they're all extended narratives.
The Negro Leagues Baseball and Jazz museums are worth an afternoon,
though I think the Negro Leagues M. has a lot more to offer. There's a
good intro video and a few other interactive videos and such, but also
a lot of reading. The jazz museum is fairly unimpressive, focusing
only on four musicians, not all from K.C. There are smatterings of
info about others, some listening stations, and some cool antique
pieces of technology. Overall, not bad, but my visit to Jazz took much
less time than my perusal of the Negro Leagues.
Audra Marvin
Apr 23, 2011, 8:29:36 PM4/23/11
to Summer Book Club
The one I was initially most interested in (and then B Longfellow's
response only increased my interest) is Hayde's mafia one. I could be
persuaded to be interested in the Elmwood one as well.
response only increased my interest) is Hayde's mafia one. I could be
persuaded to be interested in the Elmwood one as well.
Kati Rucker
Apr 26, 2011, 10:57:26 PM4/26/11
to Summer Book Club
I vote for Elmwood or the Mafia. It worries me slightly that I find
death and destruction more interesting than music and sports, but
there you have it.
death and destruction more interesting than music and sports, but
there you have it.
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