Crossing the BLVD: Strangers, Neighbors, Aliens in a New America

Crossing the BLVD: Strangers, Neighbors, Aliens in a New America

By: Warren Lehrer   Judith Sloan  

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Average Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5

For three years, Warren Lehrer and Judith Sloan traveled the world by trekking the streets of their home borough. This book (and its companion audio CD) documents the people they encountered along the way. First person narratives are illuminated by strikingly direct photographic portraits of the subjects alongside the objects of their worlds. Lehrer's postmodern, Talmudic design juxtaposes the multiple perspectives of these new Americans, now thrown together as neighbors, classmates, coworkers, enemies, and friends. They reflect on the good, the ugly and the unexpected in their stories of crossing oceans, borders, wars, economic hardship, and cultural divides. These soulful narratives are put in context by the authors' personal and historical observations. The voices, images and sounds collected here form a portrait of a paradoxical and ever-shifting America. 500 color illustrations.

Clothbound book includes an audio CD where speech becomes music and music becomes speech. The nineteen tracks feature original music compositions by Scott Johnson, original text-based audio compositions by Judith Sloan and Warren Lehrer, and recordings of Crossing the BLVD musicians including Gogol Bordello.

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company

Customer Review: 5 out of 5
Great to understand the lives of others... - ...this book resonated with my lifestyle because I'm also a foreigner who settled in this country over fifteen years ago.

I loved these stories and it's a good read for anyone to understand what is behind the person next door, the shop owner down the street, or the student sitting next to you.

It reminds you that we all have stories and we need to be careful about judging those we don't know. There is a reason behind their ways and culture. Take the time to talk to people and learn about them as much as they learn about the culture of this country.

Great book

Customer Review: 5 out of 5
A terrifically insightful book; fascinating! - I had to read this book for a freshman lit course and I must say, it was such a wonderful read that it never felt like work. I'd buy another copy in a heartbeat if mine was lost. Excellent work!

Customer Review: 5 out of 5
Melting Pot - A great job done by the authors for a multimedia piece that reflects America's melting pot story. The people are real and the work itself should inspire immigrants and descendants of immigrants to share the experience. I found the CD fascinating as a work to be enjoyed with the book. A wonderful job! I look for more work by the authors.

Customer Review: 4 out of 5
A glaring omission - The book is well done except the authors failed to include the ethnicity that was and continues to be among the largest immigrant group, the Irish. The authors dropped the ball on that one.

Customer Review: 5 out of 5
Should be required reading - If there was ever a time when we needed to be reminded that immigrants are the heart and soul of what makes this a textured, rich and interesting country, this is it. This book and its companion museum exhibit, which I was lucky enough to come upon serendipitously at Purchase College's Neuberger Museum, celebrates the gifts we have received as a nation from the diverse people who have struggled first to get here, and then to make a life for themselves here. Before we build walls on borders, before we villify those who are different from us, let's appreciate what we are gaining from the immigrants who choose the US as their home. Let's remember that very few of us are Native American. We have all benefitted from the open door to America.

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