Pullman: An Experiment in Industrial Order and Community Planning, 1880-1930 (The Urban Life in America) by Buder, Stanley published by Oxford University Press, USA (1970) Paperback – January 1, 1970

I was pleasantly surprised with this book. George Pullman's personality and business beliefs were incorporated into the building and running of the town of Pullman. The town was pretty well, though not perfectly, thought out but eventually failed for a variety of reasons. The author covers this in a logical and obviously well researched manner. He doesn't take sides but rather presents the information for the reader to make his/her own opinions. I expected the book to be dry and a bit of a boor to read but it turned out to be interesting and made me want to seek more information. With a search on the web will find photos of the town then and now (yes it still is there) but not alot of information on the town as it is presently constituted. I am passing this book on to others whom I think will like what they read. I recommend it highly.

Great history of the Pullman community in the Chicago area. There are many old photographs which are very interesting. I recommend the book.

I enjoyed learning about Pullman, the man, and the city, and how they dealt with the success and the failure of the experiment in which they lived. I enjoyed comparing it with the town where I live, Brunswick, Maryland, a town created by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and established and run in a completely different manner, with success and still surviving as a town, more than 120 years later.

Good balanced view of the George Pullman's motives in building his model factory and city. The author examines the decline in public opinion for the town of Pullman from near universal acclaim to condemnation during the panic of 1893-94.

Awesome Story!

This brilliantly researched and presented study by Buder objectively analyzes the impact that George Pullman had on the railroad industry, business in general, and his "model town" specifically. Buder looks at not only the why, but the how of the town's failure. After a good reading, discussions of "paternalism" vs. "benevolency" are sure to arise.