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55 pages 1 hour read

The Address Book: What Street Addresses Reveal About Identity, Race, Wealth, and Power

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2020

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Book Brief

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Deirdre Mask

The Address Book

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2020
Book Details
Pages

336

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

Global • Contemporary

Publication Year

2020

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Address Book by Deirdre Mask explores the global history, cultural significance, and social implications of street names and addresses, examining their impact through historical research, personal anecdotes, and interviews. Mask investigates efforts to formalize street addresses, debates over naming and renaming streets, and the challenges faced by unhoused individuals without permanent addresses. Topics include racism and apartheid.

Informative

Contemplative

Inspirational

Reviews & Readership

4.3

9,153 ratings

80%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

The Address Book by Deirdre Mask offers an intriguing exploration of how street addresses impact identity, social status, and civic life. Reviews commend its enlightening global perspective and engaging narrative. Yet, some readers find uneven pacing and scattered focus. Overall, it's a thought-provoking read that blends history, sociology, and personal stories effectively.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Address Book?

Readers who enjoy The Address Book by Deirdre Mask are typically fascinated by the intersections of geography, history, and social justice. They will find it engaging if they appreciated books like The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner or How the Post Office Created America by Winifred Gallagher.

4.3

9,153 ratings

80%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

Character List

Deirdre Mask

An African American lawyer and writer based in London, whose debut book examines the impact and politics of street names, drawing from her experiences in the U.S. and the U.K.

A project manager for Addressing the Unaddressed, an NGO in Kolkata that provides unique postal addresses to people in unplanned settlements using location codes.

An influential American urban planner known for his work on mental mapping, whose concepts are applied by Mask to describe how ancient Romans navigated their city.

A British social reformer responsible for modernizing the UK's postal system by introducing the Penny Post, which led to greater consideration of organized street naming.

The founder of Philadelphia who implemented a grid-iron street pattern, exemplifying early American city planning and the use of numbered streets.

A community activist and founder of Beloved Streets of America, who works to revitalize streets named after Martin Luther King, Jr. into thriving cultural hubs.

Book Details
Pages

336

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

Global • Contemporary

Publication Year

2020

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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