BOOK REVIEWS

Thus McCullough enlightens us with costumes, and others in the Tuesday Musical delightful tales of the Pittsburgh performances Club provided stage furniture from their own of such visiting luminaries as Jenny Lind, homes. Indeed, across the years the leadership Nellie Melba, Lucrezia Bori, and six other for the often -precarious Pittsburgh Opera grand ladies. Of how "Tristan and Isolde" in endeavor was to be provided by women and 1904 thrilled the German-American men other than the industrial and commercial community, and-who would guess it?-in titans who led the way in most Pittsburgh 1916 "Siegfried" was staged at Forbes Field. endeavors. Two particular examples: Gurdon Kudos, too, to the book's designer, Pittsburgh Flagg, manager of the Duquesne Club, artist and teacher Robert Bowden. president of the opera from 1954 to 1984; and The book makes clear the role of five Kathleen "Honey" Craig, chair 1984-85 and women in forming the Pittsburgh Opera 1988-89, called "our magnanimous angel" by Society for its first performance, "Tales of Director Tito Capobianco. Among other Hoffman," on March 15, 1940, in Carnegie benefactions was her underwriting of the Music Hall. Rehearsals were held in the home opera's 1984 American premiere of Verdi's "La of one of the five, another designed the Battaglia di Legnano."

The Illustrated History of Opera in ik 1UP, POA,!)R I PIII IIII:AI ACIIVIS1 1 rowl i m molV1 I, Pittsburgh: The Pittsburgh Opera Story

By Hax McCullough (Privately published, 2005, available from the Pittsburgh Opera) BAN photos, appendices, pp. 192, $25.00 softcover

Hax McCullough's book is like opera itself; sumptuous, lavishly produced, and crammed with both history and the tidbits of backstage gossip that make the opera world so fascinating. McCullough provides a 19th and early 20th century background of visiting opera FEAR stars and companies who graced the Pittsburgh arts scene but also may have forestalled the formation of a local opera company. One foundation official in a "let N n T HW1 them eat cake" comment famously said that Pittsburghers who wanted opera could go to BUT ACLOSED MIND New York for that pleasure. Ytm'ii! a piolflem solver, inside the classroom and outside. [iwyou dun't see them as piolilmns. You only see opportunities, mid every (lay offma whole mw so ol possihililips. No problem.

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WESTERNPENNSYLVANIA HISTORY I FALL 2006 47 BOOK REVIEWS

The key figure for decades was Richard surprising things about McCullough's book is Karp as general manager and music director that while he has lists of about everything (1942-1977). McCullough enlivens the imaginable (a virtue of the book), he doesn't account of Karp's accomplishments by the have it in sufficient detail for board officers - story of his scolding of a 1966 audience at with a period in the 1980s left out entirely. Syria Mosque when it prematurely applauded Also, an index would have been helpful. after the curtain fell by mistake during Act I These comments aside, here is a delightful of "Faust." book for any Pittsburgh lover of the arts, with The book benefits from McCullough's its profusion of pictures and descriptions of insider knowledge as publisher of the opera's artistic and supportive notables both from programs from 1971-1991. This also may have Pittsburgh and elsewhere. inhibited him in some value judgments. One example: praise for Capobianco as director Clarke M. Thomas retired as senior editor at the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. He is the author of from 1983 to 2000 with such words as "This Front-Page Pittsburgh: Two Hundred Years of powerful and creative leader set high standards the Post-Gazette and other books. for PO productions." It is not until a later chapter that we glimpse another side, noting that when Mark J. Weinstein took over as general director in 2000, "PO was on a path The Politics of Place: Contentious Urban that would lose $750,000 yearly if changes Those interested in reviewing books should contact Redevelopment in Pittsburgh weren't made. Immediate needs were to Art Louderback at [email protected] control non-essential spending, increase Publishers and authors can send review copies to the Editor, By Gregory J. Crowley emphasis on education and outreach, and Western Pennsylvania History, (Pittsburgh: The University of Pittsburgh Press, 2005) begin a comprehensive fund-raising campaign Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, B/W photos, charts, notes, bibliography, appendix, index, to refinance the company." One of the 1212 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 pp. 207, $22.95 softcover

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Dan D. Sandman, Andrew E. Masich, Mrs. James F. Compton Mark D. Lay Dan Rooney HooayTrustee Chairman, Board of President & CEO, Trustees Historical Society of The Honorable Jay The Honorable Victor J. Carol Semple Thompson Teresa Heinz Western Pennsylvania Costa, Jr. Lescovitz John F. Bitzer, Jr., Arthur H. Stroyd, Esq. The Honorable Dan Onorato Vice Chairman, Timothy 0. Fisher Gerald F.MacCleary Kevin F. Sullivan Board of Trustees Esther L Barazzone, Ph. D. Stan Geier Andrea T.Mahone Joe William Trotter, Jr., Ph.D. Trustee Emeritus Ron Davenport,Sr., Nadine E. Bognar Chuck Hammel Barron R McCune, Jr., Esq. Vice Chairman, The Honorable Michael Turzai Frank V. Cahouet Board of Trustees Suzanne W. Broadhurst Matthew G. Harbaugh Glen T. Meakern The Honorable Jack Wagner John P. Davis, Jr. Sigo Falk, Commissioner J. Bracken Franco Harris Edward K. Muller, Ph.D. Treasurer, Bums, Sr. The Honorable Don Walko Stephen W. Graffam, Esq. Torrence M. Hunt, Jr. Terrence J. Murphy Board of Trustees Esther L.Bush Dennis A. Watson, Esq. Maxwell King Jean E. Hunter, Ph.D. The Honorable Tim Murphy Robert Barensfeld, Sandra J. McLaughlin Byers David Williams William C. King Secrtary Robert W. Kampmeinert Paul D'Neill, Jr. Board of Trustees Joseph L Calihan The Honorable Frank J. Lucchino William E. Kassling Robert N. Peirce, Jr., Esq. Estelle F.Comay, Esq. David McCullough F.Michael Langley The Honorable John R. Pippy Martin G. McGuinn 48 WESTERNPENNSYLVANIA HISTORY FALL 2006 The Politics of Place: Contentious Urban structure) are provided with little support insights into the role that local community Redevelopment in Pittsburgh provides an and even less application. Given their central action plays in directing government and interesting perspective on the role and place roles, this deficiency is curious. Other terms non-government actions designed to improve of an organized and connected citizenry in critical to an assessment of the efficacy of a community's quality of life. thwarting and/or redirecting large-scale citizen involvement (cooptation and Third, in developing his rationale, the role of redevelopment efforts. Through a well- quiescence, for example) are never invoked. steel and elliptically the agglomeration written narrative that focuses on five The former could well have played a role in economies generated by it in Pittsburgh are episodes spanning the late 20th century, the Highland Park case and the latter in the necessarily given significant attention. The role Crowley demonstrates the impact that Lower Triangle-Gateway Center, St. Clair- of the larger social context associated with contentious redevelopment had on both the Spring Hill-City View, and St. Peter's Church- post-World War II exuberance, however, city's political process and its infrastructure. Lower Hill District cases. Second, despite his receives less mention. This is curious given As a result, he reinforces the role power and interest in the importance of land use to the how important the GI Bill was to most influence played in attempts to restore welfare of American communities, Crowley metropolitan areas of the nation. The GI bill vitality to Pittsburgh. exclusively turns to urban literature. stimulated demand for single-family housing At its core, Crowley's analytic framework Important studies from nonmetropolitan that when coupled to the authorization and reflects an amalgam of urban politics, areas and communities provide relevant implementation of a national highway system sociology, and social movements literature. The author deftly moves among these areas and demonstrates how lessons from each can and should be combined. His integration of A traditiona(joyous Banfield, Logan and Molotch, Eisenger, Tilly, and Tarrow (among others) is informative ancffoving Community and novel. I found his discussion of use 1 values (the value of having and possessing a faitf invitesyou to stop y given resource) and exchange values (the value of selling or harvesting a resource) ndget to know us letter. especially relevant. This distinction is routinely overlooked by many writing about similar redevelopment issues. The pursuit of THIRD exchange values and use values is inherently C=2) contradictory and a source of conflict, PRESBYTERIAN especially when local elites pursue exchange CHURCH values of place at the expense of the vast 5701 FIFTH AVE. AT S. NEGLEY majority of the population whose interests PITTSBURGH, PA 15232 revolve around use values. As Crowley (412) 661-4710 suggests, there is no impunity in ignoring THE REV. VANCE W. TORBERT, 3RD such differences. REV. MICHELLE L. WAHILA H. PRESTON SHOWMAN Despite this, the resulting model is DIRECTOR OF MUSIC weakened by several factors. First, definitions SUNDAY WORSHIP 11:00 A.M. of central terms (e.g., social control and

WESTERNPENNSYLVANIA HISTORY I FALL 2006 49 BOOK REVIEWS

made formerly exurban reaches prime for use as a park and bird sanctuary was clearly moderate-income steelworkers displaced by location for suburban residential and not what the ruling elite were interested in and the expansion of the Jones & Laughlin Steel commercial development. The latter obviously was parried for quite some time. What Company. Whether these same families still had major impacts still being felt by the tensions did this create in the King-Mellon saw the utility of declaring their neighborhood downtowns of many great American cities. family and how were they resolved? What was blighted to assist this industry would provide While adding richness to his argument, the the response after the city eventually visceral evidence of their thoughts about the author's use of incomplete and interrupted accepted his offer? Only partial answers are redevelopment political process. stories and non-defined names adds questions provided here. Given the role of this family Crowley is at his best in capturing the left unanswered for readers neither familiar when steel was king, such omissions are not passions and frustrations of people and the with the city nor its politics. For example, helpful. Nor is the absence of any post- obvious dominance of exchange values in Robert B. King's offer to donate his property company closing comments from the these various urban redevelopment plans. He has provided an interesting and informative perspective on the urban redevelopment process. His selection of cases, while limited, covers a range of situations faced by tenants, resident-owners, and businesses when confronted by a local government with designs on their buildings and property. This book contributes to our understanding of the frustrations aroused by a public taking of private property for sale to other private interests. The fact that the last case occurred so recently indicates we may not have moved very far along in the citizen involvement process. I recommend this book to anyone interested in such issues. For those interested in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, it is a good companion piece to Buzz Bissinger's book, A Prayerfor the City, which in a very real way focuses on similar events and issues The National Preservation Conference in Philadelphia. provides all-important know-how, innovative ideas, and inspiration for people saving America's historic places A.E. Luloff is Professor of Rural Sociology, and revitalizing communities. The Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, at The Penn State University. conference is the premier educational He teaches, conducts research, and writes about and networking event for community the impacts of social change, as a result of socio- leaders, volunteers and staff of the demographic shifts, on the natural and human historic preservation movement. resource bases of the community.

50 WESTERNPENNSYLVANIA HISTORY I FALL 2006 BOOK REVIEW CAPSULES

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Pursuing Peace Across the Alleghenies: sections on terminology, history, famous This is an interesting look through the eyes of The Rodef Shalom Congregation, bridge builders, histories of the major bridges painters and illustrators at Pittsburgh during Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1856-2005 and some of the smaller ones, tours, and the amazing growth of its industries. The complete lists of all the bridges in the area, period covered begins with the idyllic By Walter Jacob, editor and who is responsible for them. There are paintings of Russell Smith and ends with the (Pittsburgh: Rodef many photographs interspersed through the romantic murals of industry by John White Shalom Press, 2005) book. It is almost guaranteed there are Alexander at the Carnegie Museum. The Illustrated, xii, 370 pp. bridges mentioned that even a lifelong portraits of David Gilmore Blythe and line $15.00 hardcover resident will be pleased to discover. drawings of Joseph Stella and Jean-Emile Labourer are likewise examined. There is This book of essays Industry in Art: Pittsburgh, 1812-1920 also a long section devoted to illustrators explores the Rodef who portrayed Pittsburgh for books and Shalom Congregation and its significant by Rina C. Youngner magazines during both quiet industrial impact on the community. A small Jewish (Pittsburgh: University of periods and the violent 1877 Railroad and congregation had formed and dissolved in Pittsburgh Press, 2006) 1892 Homestead strikes. the early days of the city, then finally formed Illustrated (some color), a permanent group, the Rodef Shalom, in bibliography, index, viii, 188 pp., $29.95 1856. The essays chronicle the history of the hardcover Congregation and also the Jewish experience in the Pittsburgh area. The remarkable story of David Glick, Pittsburgh's own Schindler during the Holocaust, is also included. The Bridges of Pittsburgh OUR REGION HAS By Bob Regan, photos by Tim Fabian A COLORFUL PAST, (Pittsburgh: The Local History Company, 2006) INDEED. 150 illustrations and maps, bibliography, From dark and fiery steel mills to green and golden hillsides, index, x, 182 pp., $22.95 our region's history and beauty have been captured vividly by both softcover national and regional artists. Experience it for yourself in Born of Fire: the Valley of Work and Southwestern PennsylvaniaLandscapes, two permanent exhibitions which paint a powerful portrait This is a wonderful book about the bridges in of a dynamic region. our region, both numerous in number and style. It combines the scholarly aspect of Walter Kidney's bridge book with the thoroughness of Bruce Cridlebaugh's website, THE WESTMORELAND www.pghbridges.com on Allegheny County The Place for American Art bridges, and mixes it all with the quirkiness www.wmuseumaa.org caused by the geography of Pittsburgh to 221 NORTH MAIN STREET - GREENSBURG PA 15601 - (724) 837-1500. create a very enjoyable book. The text has

WESTERNPENNSYLVANIA HISTORY I FALL 2006 51