Historic Photos of Tacoma / text and captions by Nick Peters. Nashville, Tenn. : Turner Pub. Co., c2007. x, 206 p.

Another one in a series of photo books based on a geographic place by Turner Publishing. T-Town native and historian Nick Peters loves his city and that is communicated in his brief chapter introductions and photo captions. Yet, his historian side does outweigh any civic boosterism as he didn't pretty up some of the less admirable aspects in the City of Destiny's past.

His captions are well written and serve as an excellent support for the over 200 black and white photographs. The daily life of the city is captured, as well as some big events such as the press frenzy during the Weyerhaeuser kidnapping and the collapse of Galloping Gertie. He provides solid dates or takes an educated guess at most photos, which I appreciated. I also enjoy the little bits of human interest he frequently added to help spice up what could be a boring photo. For example, page 43 has a photograph of the Berlin Building. Interesting if you are into Tacoma historic buildings, but how many of us really care that much? Here is Peters' caption, adding some color:

German immigrant Henry Mahncke, with partner Charles Muehlenbruck, built the Berlin Building in 1892 at 1021-23 Pacific Avenue. It was a dream come true for Mahncke, a Tacoma baker since 1882, but a dream short-lived. He lost everything in the Panic of 1893, becoming a janitor and elevator operator in the building he had owned. Mahncke later built a successful career in real estate, dying in 1927. The Berlin was demolished in 1920 to make way for the Washington Building.

Historic Photos of Washington State / text and captions by Dale E. Soden. Nashville, Tenn. : Turner Pub. Co., c2008. x, 206 p.

Whitworth University professor of history Dale E. Soden dug into the photo collections of the Washington State Historical Society and the Library of Congress, his efforts resulting in this book of just over 200 black and white photographs portraying different aspects of the Evergreen State from 1860 to 1959.

The majority of the visuals focus on the occupational history of everyday people and the evolution of Washington's infrastructure. Aside from the Native Americans, there is little coverage here of ethnic or social life history-- that isn't his chief interest. Soden's concentration seems to be on the history of emerging technologies and how they impact the lives of average citizens.

There appears to be a well balanced representation of the geographic regions of the state. OlyBloggers might enjoy the few early pictures of Olympia, including an early shot as if you had stepped into the middle of the street in front of the present day BroHo and looked up Capitol Way (then called Main St.). Even little Elma makes an appearance here.

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