Compiled by the Bronx Historical Society, "The Bronx: It Was Only Yesterday 1935-1965" chronicles the development of the northernmost borough of New York City before it became the area that many know it as today. From Wakefield to Mott Haven, from Riverdale to Co-op City, most of the borough's major neighborhoods are captured here in photographs and words, allowing past and present Bronxites to see the changes that have occurred in the thirty-year span that the book covers.

It was nostalgic to see photographs of the Alexander's department store on Fordham Road, seeing that it shut it doors in the late 1980's. Other interesting facts I didn't know before was that the largest amusement park in the eastern United States, "Freedomland" was located on the land where present-day Co-op City stands. It was closed in the late 1960's when word of a major theme park that was to arise out of the marshes of Orlando, Florida was being planned (yep, DisneyWorld brought an end to the Bronx's only amusement park).

Truly this is a must have if you are a past or present Bronxite who is very interested in learning about the borough's past. This book might also appeal to urban planning students who are interested in the development of one of New York City's last frontiers. Overall, "The Bronx: It Was Only Yesterday 1935-1965" is a well-organized book that takes full advantage of the borough's historical archives. Once I opened its' pages I was taken on a journey to memory row, where memories of life back then only reside.

Born 79 years ago on Bway. near Van Cortlandt. Lived in Kingsbridge & Mosholu areas 27 years. Drove the trolley cars, Bx.& Van Cort., University, Webster, 167 st. xtown, etc. after WW2. Fordham Rd.,3 movies and the Windsor within a few blocks. Loews Grand, Paradise and 1 more few blocks east. What an era! Skinny dip & sleep out in Botanical Gardens. De Witt Clinton Grad. 1938. Jacob H. Schiff center. Brought back many memories. Only complaint, didn't cover enuff. Faded roses are almost impossible to revive. Still a few childhood friends left from those years. Going back brought a mixture of emotions, so many are gone. elkvppast@aol.com

I loved the book, but was very disappointed that my neighborhood which is around Mckinley Square, Morrisania Library, Fulton Avenue Y, Crotona Park and the Indian lake, Boston Road Yiddish Theater, Jennings Street with Jackie the Pickle man were not mentioned.

First read the book at my brothers in Florida, had to have one. So many memories, Happy ones. The RKO Royal my farther worked thier for over 25 years. The pictures were so good again memories of days gone by. I lived in Edgewater remember the Mansion and our Volinteer Fire Dept. How things have changed, but your book brought it back to life for me again, no Bronx-ite should be without one Thankyou Bill Taylor