Perryburg Press is proud to announce the release of PERRYBURG: An Autobiography Of A City, a distinctive work that captures the essence of a Rust Belt city through the personal stories of its people. The book takes a fresh approach to urban history, offering a captivating look at the lives of everyday individuals and their experiences across four centuries.
Rather than focusing on political leaders, monumental buildings, or government decisions, Perryburg centers on the community’s heartbeat: its residents. Through a series of vignettes, the book provides an intimate view of how the people of Perryburg have shaped and been shaped by the city’s rise, decline, and ongoing transformation. These stories—from love blossoming at Union Station to the hidden lives within the walls of a crumbling apartment block—resonate with readers who may see their own lives reflected in the narratives.
The book has been hailed by experts for its accessibility and authenticity. Poet Laureate of Ridgefield, Connecticut, Ira Joe Fisher, describes it as “a grand read,” while Margarita Gonsalvez, Ph.D., Professor of Urban Studies at Mohawk University, writes, “PERRYBURG: An Autobiography of a City is probably the most accessible entry to Urban Mosaic History available so far. Its stories will engage you, the settings will feel strangely nostalgic, and the people, oh the people, they are you, they are me, they are us. This is history written anew.”
This unique urban history offers readers fifteen different ways to observe and understand the character of Perryburg, making it a rich and relatable experience for anyone interested in the past and present of American cities. The book captures the complexity, growth, decline, and rebirth typical of Rust Belt cities, making it an important contribution to the genre of urban studies.
Perryburg Press is committed to presenting history in a way that is not only engaging but also deeply human. Rev. Dr. Randolph Becker, the author of PERRYBURG: An Autobiography of a City, is a seasoned writer and award-winning public speaker. His previous works include both fiction and nonfiction, such as Reclaiming the Soul of Your Faith and Travels in Venice. After serving as a Unitarian Universalist minister for over fifty years, Dr. Becker was honored with the Angus MacLean Lifetime Achievement Award in Religious Education in 2023.
Dr. Becker’s approach to urban history is what truly sets Perryburg apart from its competitors. As he explains, “In any community, it will be the people who tell the real story.” His aim with this project was not to present an abstract collection of dates and facts but rather to highlight the stories that bring the city’s history to life. “Why I have subtitled this collection about Perryburg, ‘An Autobiography of a City?’ Because it is really the history of the people, real people, of the city. Their collective biographies, spanning hundreds of years, are the real history of the city.”
PERRYBURG: An Autobiography of a City is not just for urban history enthusiasts; it is a book that appeals to anyone who has lived in or encountered a city. Whether it is a love story unfolding amidst the backdrop of a train station or the journey of two individuals rising from poverty to philanthropy, these are stories that transcend time and place.
Readers will find themselves drawn into the lives of those who have called Perryburg home. The tales of ordinary people becoming part of the larger fabric of the city will strike a chord with anyone who has witnessed or experienced a similar transformation in their own community.
The book stands as a testament to the resilience and creativity of the people who contribute to the ever-changing landscape of urban America. Its intimate, personal approach to history provides readers with a more tangible, emotional connection to the city’s evolution.
For those interested in exploring Perryburg’s past and present through the eyes of its residents, PERRYBURG: An Autobiography of a City offers a compelling read that blends history with human experience in an accessible and relatable way.
Perryburg Press is dedicated to continuing its mission of providing thought-provoking works that engage with the realities of life in American cities. This release marks a pivotal moment in the exploration of urban history, one that honors the voices of the many, rather than focusing solely on the few.
To learn more about PERRYBURG: An Autobiography of a City and to explore other works published by Perryburg Press, visit perryburgpress.com. You can also connect with the publisher on their Facebook page.