Daily Life in the Colonial City

Gr 9 Up—No cobblestone goes unturned in this volume of the 20-year-old ongoing series. The 15 chapters cover settlement, government, family and community, religion, labor and economy, education, crime and punishment, poverty and poor relief, housing and street life, food and dining, clothing and cleanliness, health and medicine, recreation, arts and sciences, and urban rebellion. Within those broad categories, the rich details that made up the minutes and hours of Colonial life emerge. The details are all the more nuanced because they span class, ethnicity, and gender. The author integrates the juiciest plums from scores of period letters, diaries, and newspapers, invigorating the text with a real-life earthiness. Particularly telling are the anecdotes relating to personal relations. A philandering Philadelphian frequented brothels. When he contracted venereal disease, he swore, "Must keep away from my Wife." Even subjects that get plenty of due in other history books are given more subtle, personal treatment here. Apprenticing, for instance, was not only a way for young people to learn a trade. It was common for poor families to sell their children into apprenticeships via "pauper auctions" and thus eliminate hungry mouths from their households. Each page is dense with text. That, in addition to the dearth of illustrations, might discourage some readers. Still, subsections within chapters are designated clearly with large, bold font and make finding specific information easier. The writing is straightforward, engaging, and accessible. Lengthy bibliographies round off each chapter of this terrific resource.—Jennifer Prince, Buncombe County Public Libraries, NC