Much can be said about Pittsburgh. This city best know for its industrial boom prior to the 1980's when the after effects of Reganomics took the jobs of thousands and sent the working class out of the city. Judith Vollmer is a Pittsburgh poet. She gives an explicit look at Pittsburgh life. Her imagery is raw and haunting. In contrast to Vollmer's Poetry, a pamphlet from America's Most Livable Communities gives a more optimistic picture of Pittsburgh. America's Most Livable Communities is a coalition of cities in America who share the goal of economic growth. Comparing these two publications, It becomes apparent that Vollmer gives a less biased and more truthful description.
             Pittsburgh to Vollmer is place where the ugliness is not hidden. She depicts a trashy town and criticizes the city's lack of culture in her poem "My Sublimation". Her portrayal of Human drama in Pittsburgh is grave. " On Reporting the Murder of a Young Prostitute" parallels Vollmer's students to a prostitute who was murdered.
             America's Most Livable Communities acknowledges Pittsburgh blue collar downsize, but claims Pittsburgh to be "...one of the safest, cleanest, and most attractive urban settings in the nation." America's Most Livable Communities is Clearly trying to attract Corporations and people that will help build the economy. This pamphlet focuses on the positive aspects of the city and emphasizes the progressive changes taking place.
             Both these authors writings are about Pittsburgh.
             They are well informed accounts of the city.
             These two ways of looking at pittsburgh are very different. Vollmer is not afraid to expose the not pretty aspects of Pittsburgh, where as America's Most Livable Communities is making a pitch. Vollmer's Pittsburgh is real life. America's Most Livable is and advertisement.
             Voller does not have to use careful phrasing when describing...