A Short History of Charleston

by Robert N. Rosen

Book Overview

Robert N. Rosen's A Short History of Charleston has been hailed by critics, historians, and especially Charlestonians as authoritative, witty, and entertaining. Packed with anecdotes and enlivened by passages from diaries and letters, the fast-paced narrative recounts the port city's role in such signal events as the American Revolution, secession, and the Civil War.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1570031975
• ISBN13: 9781570031977
• Release Date: May 1997
• Publisher: University of South Carolina Press
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.77 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 7.5" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Very good overview

I visited Charleston a few weeks ago for probably the fifth or sixth time. It has become a favorate vacation spot for my family. While there I took a walking tour with a local historian and at the conclusion of the tour I asked for recommendations on books to read that covered Charleston history. He recommended two books. "Read "A Short History of Charleston" first as that is a good solid overview of the history of Charleston. When your done start reading "Charleston! Charleston!: The History of a Southern City" by Walter Fraser." he said. "Charleston! Charleston! is very detailed and you will lose your way without having an idea where everything fits. A Short History will give you a good solid foundation from which to tackle "Charleston! Charleston!" Well I took his advice and have just finished A Short History. I have just started "Charleston! Charleston!" so I can't yet comment on how the books differ but "A Short History of Charleston" was a perfect vacation read. It was very readable with just the right amount of detail to keep the story moving along. I will appreciate my visits to Charleston that much more now that I have a better idea as to how the city started and grew into what it is now as opposed to knowing a few stories here and there from different time periods. If you are planning on vacationing in Charleston, do your self a favor and read this book before you go as it will give you a much greater apprecaition for the wonderful city that awaits you. If you have already vacationed there then you will want to go back and rediscover elements of the city that you may have overlooked before. I know that is how I feel and I already want to book my next trip.

A Short History of the Best City in the Country

This book is a must for anyone coming to Charleston for the first time. It is also a must for residents who want to "brush up" on their town history. This book should be followed by walks down the streets, through the alleys and along the Battery at dusk. You will probably want to move here.

A Short History of Charleston by Robert N. Rosen

I've just returned from a short visit to Charleston and Rosen's "Short History to Charleston" was a perfect comrade in preparation for the tour. His book is a fun and quick read full of all the sort of information one needs to delect in Charleston's fascinating history. Not only does it give a rather complete, albeit brief, historical account of Charleston's dramatic evolution from beginning to near present day, but every page provides descriptions of remarkable individuals or events which enhance and delight the reader's experience of Charleston's history all of which are most often embellished with remarkable illustrations. I highly recommend this book.

The book to start with if you're into Charleston

We were, there in this wonderful, historic southern gem on vacation. In a wonderful, large, bookstore, we inquired, what book if you want to learn more about the history. This is it, the local experts said.It is, well written from the beginnings of Charles Town up to Hurrican Hugo, the prose is lively and attention keeping.Especially to be enjoyed is the side-bar entries of primarily people and architecture which add much to the verbal discussion going on the page. To go further in study, the author provides this wisdom: "there appear to me to be more bad books written about Charleston than just about any subject I know." So he lists those he knows are worthy and recommended on each time period. Helpful!