At just over four square miles, Watertown, Massachusetts, has been historically overshadowed, in size and influence, by its next-door neighbor, Boston. Briefly famous during the federal manhunt for the Boston Marathon bombers, Watertown is more than the unassuming New England suburb it might appear to be.
In his new book of essays, The World and Watertown, author Greg Beach explores Watertown's fascinating history and lively culture that serve as a microcosm of the United States and the world.
Beach covers
- the first people of Watertown and the enduring legacy of Native communities in Eastern Massachusetts,
- Watertown's tenure as the capital of Massachusetts during the British occupation of Boston and the town's role in the abolitionist movement,
- the evolution of the American economy, told through the centuries-long transformation of the Watertown Arsenal,
- the history and cultural heritage of the Irish and Armenian immigrants who have made Watertown their home,
- the tense manhunt conducted in Watertown after the Boston Marathon bombing,
- the local ecology and its complex relationship with humanity,
- and much more.
Through evocative stories of the citizens, seasons, and spaces of his hometown, Beach offers an insightful look at the ways of the world through Watertown.
About the Author: Greg Beach was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and moved to Watertown when he was nine. He spent his entire adolescence there and then returned after finishing school. Beach explores the rich history of the town in his new book, The World and Watertown.
Beach received his bachelor's degree in political science from Tufts University and his master's degree in education from Lesley University. He has taught in the Boston Public School system, served as a garden educator for CitySprouts, wrote for the environmental design website Inhabitat, worked as a freelance writer and consultant, and tried his hand at home brewing.
Shortly after publishing, Beach will relocate to Atlanta, Georgia, where he looks forward to starting a new chapter in his life.
