This was a great read for me. Each chapter is written by different authors and they take a look at a different part of Baltimore's history. I grew up in Baltimore county, just a few minutes from the city. As I end my 40s, I look back with confusion about Baltimore. The racial dynamics, the poverty, the city planning decisions, the role of the arts, the city markets, the waterfront, these issues and more are covered in the book. It gave me a lot of clarity. The book also addresses many current day issues and these are challenges that look daunting in today's world. But Baltimore will always be my hometown and I'll root for it's success.