What Remains, Book Reviews
I just finished What Remains: The People and Places of California Expositions, and really enjoyed the journey.
Like traveling with a group and getting to experience an event with their different perspectives; I found the varied reactions of people of different backgrounds and ages to be intriguing. Teens on a romp, youngsters remembering their folks steering them away from the more risqué exhibitions, local kids sneaking away from home to enjoy the festivities… a more human view of these historic affairs than one usually gets.
Still, it is coupled with the background story of the expositions themselves. How the exhibits came to be, how some communities were forever changed by hosting, a bit of the politics and culture of the times put on display helping to educate and perhaps divert from the wars and financial calamities going on, as well as making visible the progress and prejudices of that American era.
A uniquely interesting and well rounded view of California’s big events.
Dottie Simmons
What Remains is a great romp through a few of the more famous Worlds’ Fairs and Expositions. Who knew there were so many! Full of pictures and interesting tidbits, the book explores the fairs through quotes from common people. It holds lots of information for exposition buffs but anyone with an interest in history will enjoy this engaging work.
Though the author is clearly enamored of World Fairs she discusses their short-comings, including their use and abuse of indigenous people. Without being heavy-handed or lecturing she reminds us that ‘it was a different time’ but does not excuse the exploitation of human beings. I loved that each chapter included information about whose ancestral grounds the fairs were held on.
Lauri Rose
What Remains feels like a delightful romp through your favorite aunt’s closet of boxes full of collected photographs, souvenirs, and assorted memorabilia from a life-long fondness of all things World Fairs and expositions. You learn the amazing details of last century’s world in all its glory and quirkiness as well as scientific advances, daredevil antics and social oversights: presidents, mayors, celebrities, and interviews with plain-old people.
Peg Wheeler, Educator