Paradise Bronx

The Life and Times of New York's Greatest Borough

By: Ian Frazier

Narrated by: Robert Fass

Ian Frazier’s magnum opus: a love song to New York City’s most heterogeneous and alive borough.

For the past fifteen years, Ian Frazier has been walking the Bronx. Paradise Bronx reveals the amazingly rich and tumultuous history of this amazingly various piece of our greatest city. From Jonas Bronck, who bought land from the local Native Americans, to the formerly gang-wracked South Bronx that gave birth to hip-hop, Frazier’s loving exploration is a moving tour de force about the polyglot culture that is America today.

During the Revolution, when the Bronx was unclaimed territory known as the Neutral Ground, some of the war’s decisive battles were fought here by George Washington’s troops. Gouverneur Morris, one of the most colorful Founding Fathers, owned a huge swath of the Bronx, where he lived when he was not in Paris during the French Revolution or helping write the US Constitution.

Frazier shows us how the coming of the railroads and the subways drove the settling of the Bronx by various waves of immigration―Irish, Italian, Jewish (think the Grand Concourse), African American, Caribbean, Puerto Rican (J.Lo is one of the borough’s most famous citizens). The romance of the Yankees, the disaster of the Cross Bronx Expressway, the invention of rap and hip-hop, the resurgence of community as the borough’s communities learn mutual aid―all are investigated, recounted, and celebrated in Frazier’s inimitable voice.

This is a book like no other about a quintessential American city and the resilience and beauty of its citizens.

©2024 Ian Frazier (P)2024 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Robert Fass performs this homage to New York City's northernmost borough, the Bronx, thoughtfully and skillfully. His pace reflects the author's peregrinations and considerations of the only part of the city connected to the continent. His tone is that of an engaged reporter committed to noting things large—the highways that penetrate the Bronx—and small. Through it all, listeners gain an understanding of the truth and irony of the title.… Here is a living portrait with the borough's harsh reputation etched in place and its lasting significance revealed.” —AudioFile Magazine, Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award

“A profound portrait of this storied place . . . Vivid profiles of historical figures . . . The culmination of many years of passionate inquiry, Frazier's deep history—grandly detailed, vibrant, and caring—does right by the resilient, ever-morphing Bronx.” —Booklist (starred review)

“[An] appreciation of a unique area that will appeal to those who have had enough tales of Manhattan.” —Kirkus Reviews

Great Info on the History of the Bronx

Very well researched, and informative. Sometimes the history went so in depth I found myself zoning out, but overall a worthwhile listen.

A cheer for Da Bronx!

Detailed well-researched historical narrative sprinkled with relevant anecdotes. After reading the book, I find myself considerably more knowledgeable about the Bronx, and motivated to do further exploration.
The presentation was descriptive but did not tie together with a cohesive theme. I would’ve preferred more editing with more connections between the stories and chapters.

Where did it come from?

I found the book very interesting and took me through all of the history of The Bronks from the 1600 until now. I loved the branches of the story that weaved from one topic in the 1800 to another in the 2000. I learned a lot and really did enjoy it.

ALL AROUND EXCELLENT

So much history. So many personal stories, none of it boring.
Many famous figures who grew up in the Bronx, the music that originated in the Bronx.
This is a book that every American should read.
I have read and listened to many books in my life (mostly history)) and I consider this one among the best.
The narrator does an outstanding job.
My heartfelt thanks to all involved, JK.

the older history

The history from the 1790s into the early 20th century is fascinating. once the author gets to modern times though, his previously occasional personal political views make their way more and more into the story. Some of the later chapters seem downright whiny.

Excellent historical details about the Bronx from its earliest settlements.

The author downplays the strong violence theme that dominated early rap/hiphop. For all his positive views of the Bronx and its wondrous virtues, inexplicably he appears to live in New Jersey.

Recognition

I loved this book. I like learning about an area. The ties to where I live in NJ were a bonus. I learned so much about the Bronx and HipHop.

Great book.

Great Book, stories and narration. The author’s love and appreciation for the people of the Bronx shines through.

Just Beautiful

A beautiful account of my wonderful greatest borough. The narrator does an astounding job as always. I was disappointed every time I had to stop listening. A great job of weaving through time and history of The Bronx. I will definitely listen to it many times again. I just wish Frazier would have went deeper into the greatest neighborhood in the greatest borough, Hunts Point.

An exquisite tapestry woven of thoughts and experience

Frazier always opens himself to thoughtful and considerate exploration. His generosity of his subjects avails him to great value that comes from observing and thinking. This isn't scrappy, quick, off the cuff stuff. I am thinking about starting again. I truly think this book may keep me living in the Bronx.