Reimers,professor of history, new york university writing a complete, detailed, readable history of new york city is a formidable task but george lankevich has done it. Washington irvings main purpose in a history of new york was. First written in 1975, this is my classic favorite. In fourteen chapters, each with a story emphasizing one historical dimension of new york, the reader is introduced to people, places, and events that define new york city and its place in american culture and history. That too has its limitations, as it, as the title says, tells the story only up to the. Dec 09, 2019 the island became the repository for new york citys unclaimed dead. This tour of the big apple goes beyond the traditional guidebook to offer visitors and residents alike a chance to walk back in time along the streets of manhattan. A short history of new york from colonial times to the present 2010, popular history with focus on politics and riots excerpt and text search. A history of new york satirical history by irving britannica. Its mass graves are a microcosm of new york history, from the 1822 burial crisis to casualties of the triangle shirtwaist fire and victims of the aids epidemic.
An italian, giovanni da verrazano discovered new york harbor in 1524. Tracing the origins of the new york police department. The 25 best books about new york city history brick underground. All represented here bring valuable insight into the history of nyc and most are accessible to read via your local book store or library. Its skyscrapers and neon nightlife, together with its inner city ghettos, symbolize all the excitements and tribulations of contemporary urban living. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Gotham the gotham center for new york city history. A natural history of new york city is the astounding result of those efforts, reconstructing, in words and images, the wild its difficult for us to imagine what he saw, but for more than a decade, landscape ecologist eric sanderson has been working to do just that. Originally intended as a burlesque of historiography and heroic styles of epic poetry, the work became more serious as the author proceeded. Here are the most checkedout books in the history of new. Comprising a history of the city of new york, a description of its present condition, and an estimate of its future increase, new york, g. The book covers all eras, from the native lenape, who lived in the area since well before it was first scoped out by europeans giovanni da verrazzano often misspelled verrazano, in 1524 through the dutch and british colonial periods, all through to the consolidation of 1898, when new york city merged with kings county brooklyn, part of. What are the best books on the history of new york. However, it is, as the title says, an encyclopedia, not a narrative book, and, like most encyclopedias.
Just some of my favorite books about the people, places and events of new york city. And growing up, i used to always see this book at the front of the bookstores in the local history section, but its length and weight scared me. Over the weekend, i put together this riffle list of my favorite 25 book on the subject of new york city history, published over the last one. Gray is a middle school social studies teacher in the deruyter schools located in central new york state. Not just a gift to me, but to the history of new york city. Marks is dead, a great number focus on the uglier side of new york city froma the industriala deformities that sometimes define a city. The sons of liberty destroyed british authority in new york city, and the stamp act congress of representatives from throughout the thirteen colonies met in the city in 1765 to organize resistance to british policies. Below, please find some additional information about the history of new york city. The book is significant as early media describing what became modern christmas traditions in the united states. The awardwinning childrens picture book, written by ezra jack keats, topped new york citys public library list for the most checkedout. Page 93 the president of the trustees of the seamens fund and retreat in the city of new york shall demand and be entitled to receive, and in case of neglect or refusal to pay, shall, in the name of the people of the state of new york, sue for and recover the following sums from either the owner or owners, or from the master, or from both the owner or owners and master, of every vessel. The bowery boys ten favorite new york city history books of 2015. A selection of free resources pertaining to the history of new york city, including reference resources about the city, links to digital exhibitions and libraries, numerous websites, and information about the city and each of the five boroughs. In the forthcoming new book a history of new york in 27 buildings bloomsbury, october 22, new york times correspondent sam roberts tells the stories of the city s most important architectural.
Together they have collaborated for twenty years to produce this book, the first volume in the definitive history of new york city. It was the first book about new york that i read when i arrived in the city. A history of new york, a satirical history by washington irving, published in 1809 and revised in 1812, 1819, and 1848. That is what i thought after i read up in the old hotel. The big apple, the center of the universe, the city of dreams, the city that never sleeps, the city so nice, they named it twice and more. The panorama of the city of new york is an enormous scale model of all five new york city boroughs. New york city is known for broadway, the fabulous skyline, central park, times square, the statue of liberty, top sports venues and teams, and is one of the top destinations for tourists around the world. A history of new york from the beginning of the world to the end of the dutch dynasty, by diedrich knickerbocker is an 1809 book on the history of new york city by washington irving. Building off a new york times feature that solicited reader input on the tchotchkes that best represent new york, robertss 2014 book is a compact, yet thorough, history of the greatest city in. Anyone interested in new york should begin with american metropolis. When did the statue of liberty turn green and 101 other questions about new york city the staff of the new york historical society library, nina nazionale, jean ashton. This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title history of new york.
Jul 20, 2018 i am sorry i wasnt able to cover everything in the history of new york city specially the more recent stuff like the 2008 crash or 911 but due to time i cant possibly cover everything and i. Everyone has a different take on this bustling, diverse city. Getting to the core of the big apple was what giovanni di verrazzano the bridges namesake wanted to do. The history of new york city is a fascinating subject. This article provides an incomplete list of fiction books set in new york city. Rather the book is as much a social and cultural history as it is a. The written history of new york city began with the first european explorer the italian giovanni da verrazzano in 1524. Jackson and a cast of thousandss the encyclopedia of new york city. Here are 11 of the best nonfiction books about new york city. I couldve created an entirely separate list for nonfiction or for ya or even for theater.
Adventures in new york city, new jersey, and philadelphia michael aaron rockland isbn. Explorer giovanni da verrazzano, commissioned by the king of france, sailed to the new world, and into what is now new york harbor. A history lovers guide to new york city by alison fortier. A history of new york city in 27 buildings architectural. It has the largest population, greatest wealth, broadest diversity and most elegant museums in the nation. New york city, with a large gay and lesbian community, suffered many deaths from aids beginning in the. The city recovered quickly from the war, and by 1810 it was one of the nations most important ports. Aug 03, 2016 for the purposes of this list, i looked only at adult novels. By geographically matching an 18thcentury map with one of the modern city, examining volumes of historic documents, and collecting and analyzing scientific data, sanderson re. The essential 25 new york city history books for your book shelf. Greater gotham a history of new york city from 1898 to 1919 by mike wallace. What is the overall theme and style in washington irvings book a history of new york.
A history of new york city to 1898 to european explorers, it was eden, a paradise of waisthigh grasses, towering stands of walnut, maple, chestnut, and oak, and forests that teemed with bears, wolves, raccoons, beavers, otters, and foxes. The character quash is an enslaved african, who was brought forcefully to new amsterdam and is held by thomas master. This is a great book for anyone who needs a lesson on the recent history of power, politics, prejudice and policing in new york city and state. In 1524, di verrazzano, an italian, was the first european to explore the new york harbor. The common thread is not just novels that use new york city as a setting, but ones that render the city as a fully realized character in the story. A natural history of new york city is the astounding result of those efforts, reconstructing in words and images the wild island that millions now call home. Fortier presents a coherent, albeit brief, history of one the worlds great cities, as it evolved over more than 400 years. The leaders of the people innuendo, the governor and council of new york cause them innuendo, the people of this province to err, and they the governor and council meaning are destroyed innuendo, are deceived into the loss of their liberty, which is the worst kind of destruction. Hiphop and rap music, led by new york city, became the most popular pop genre. Van dyckmaster descendants continue to live in new york through the entire saga, providing one of the unifying narrative strands. In 1609 an englishman, henry hudson, sailed up the hudson river. The most comprehensive history of new york city is probably kenneth t. What are the best books about the history of new york. A history of new york city to 1898 burrows, edwin g.
New york city heritage and preservation antoine gorcelycee rabelaismeudon a modern city, full of history. But the city s powerful contemporary presence is also built upon a dramatic history. To me it is the best peoplefriendly guide to the city. Recommended books and articles on history of the nypd. If you have any suggestions for web sites that you think might be useful, please email the milstein division.
A natural history of new york 2005, environmental history excerpt and text search. Popular new york history books goodreads share book. Weaving in and out of the present, morrisons novel illustrates the complexities of life for black new yorkers in the 20s. He has served as consultant for the national archives in the development of edu. Heres my 25 favorite books about new york city history.
371 1097 993 638 530 172 1086 570 966 472 431 534 331 961 23 971 1472 358 72 1554 1379 1111 944 812 1492 1141 187 1313