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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
I love these Michner/Rutherford type books that take an area and follow it through generations of a story.....Sarum is still better but this was good.
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really enjoyed this book. Took me quite a few months to get through as I was only reading random times at home but once I made it my primary read I flew through it. Loved how the author had the story line follow the generations through each family in time periods. Was a really cool way to tie the story together.
The book had a good story thread and gave some interesting history of New York. The beginning seemed to indicate a detailed history of New York with good story line and details on the characters. However, as I progressed to the middle of the books, it seemed as the family ties and other historical/social events were disconnected. It just didn't seem to have the same "oomph" as London or the Rebels of Ireland.
Nice to read more about NY. But since the author wants to tell 500 years of history following some families, the characters are quite shallow. And the end a bit too moralistic.
informative
slow-paced
The saga of one family from the 17th century through the catastrophic events of 9/11. I enjoyed the earlier generations story more. When I saw there was no family tree, as there had been in other Rutherford books I have read, I knew this one was going to be lacking for me. I enjoy tracing the tree as I read.
Rutherford's books are the type that I like having on the nightstand and taking my time to read a little each day. I enjoy Rutherford's story telling, but this lacked something I just cannot put my finger on. I enjoyed the history of New York though. I have a few more of his books sitting here and need to decide if I want to get lost in London or Russia for next date with him. (less)
Rutherford's books are the type that I like having on the nightstand and taking my time to read a little each day. I enjoy Rutherford's story telling, but this lacked something I just cannot put my finger on. I enjoyed the history of New York though. I have a few more of his books sitting here and need to decide if I want to get lost in London or Russia for next date with him. (less)
This book is extraordinary. I want everyone I know to read this book. I've had a fascination with New York City since I was a child. This work of fiction woven into history is simply amazing. I fell in love with each generation of the Master family and the various others who crossed their paths along the way. Hetty may just have been my favorite though; with her hate for the Waldorf and her love of the city.
The tale of the wampum belt was an unexpected surprise that made me smile and provoked deep thinking as well. Given as a gift from a forbidden child, born from a forbidden relationship with an Indian girl, the belt is eventually given to another forbidden love. This time the love could not be because the girl was Jewish and she could break her father's heart by marrying outside their faith. There is so much subtext and story just in that belt alone. That Charlie had no way of knowing how closely his life married that of his ancestor, and that even though we've come very far in relating across cultural lines, there is still so far to go.
Knowing any history at all brings inherent spoilers to this work. As soon as the young boy wondered if his sister might find work at the Triangle Factory, I knew her ultimate fate. Though I was quite surprised by which character was lost in the Towers.
This is just such a wonderful read, so very well done. I can not recommend it enough.
The tale of the wampum belt was an unexpected surprise that made me smile and provoked deep thinking as well. Given as a gift from a forbidden child, born from a forbidden relationship with an Indian girl, the belt is eventually given to another forbidden love. This time the love could not be because the girl was Jewish and she could break her father's heart by marrying outside their faith. There is so much subtext and story just in that belt alone. That Charlie had no way of knowing how closely his life married that of his ancestor, and that even though we've come very far in relating across cultural lines, there is still so far to go.
Knowing any history at all brings inherent spoilers to this work. As soon as the young boy wondered if his sister might find work at the Triangle Factory, I knew her ultimate fate. Though I was quite surprised by which character was lost in the Towers.
This is just such a wonderful read, so very well done. I can not recommend it enough.
This was my first audio book, so the beginning was kind of rough. I'd forget to pay attention, or someone would interrupt me and I had to re-listen to pieces. I finally got in a good rhythm though and fell in love with this book. The book begins in the 1600s and follows one primary family and other related characters through to 2009 in New York. From the days of an important trading port in the New World to the present day metropolis we all know and love, the book takes you through the major history of New York City. It was surprisingly poetic and haunting. Especially the wampum belt which is handed down through the family for generations. It's full of war, love, loss and victory. I cannot say enough! It was wonderful!
challenging
hopeful
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I love this book. So much so that I wrote an article about it.
... The author managed to tell not only the historical story of the city but also conveys the changes in mood, attitude, and life for New Yorkers over the centuries. For example, the way the characters relate to each other during the Revolutionary War, such as the concern for the whole rather than the individual, is vastly different from how they interact at the close of the book during the summer of 2009 and as it should be. The only fault I have with the book is that the descendants of Quash the vanDyck's slave, Pale Feather, and Salvatore fell to the waste side in favor of the more traditional (and frankly easier to write) high society Master family. What became of Quash’s other descendants? Surely there could have been more to that side of the story than a tragic end during the NYC Draft Riots or Pale Feather’s family beyond the opening of the canal.
For the rest of the review, please visit CBS Local New York after 1/19/15 at http://newyork.cbslocal.com/top-lists/best-books-based-in-new-york/ .
... The author managed to tell not only the historical story of the city but also conveys the changes in mood, attitude, and life for New Yorkers over the centuries. For example, the way the characters relate to each other during the Revolutionary War, such as the concern for the whole rather than the individual, is vastly different from how they interact at the close of the book during the summer of 2009 and as it should be. The only fault I have with the book is that the descendants of Quash the vanDyck's slave, Pale Feather, and Salvatore fell to the waste side in favor of the more traditional (and frankly easier to write) high society Master family. What became of Quash’s other descendants? Surely there could have been more to that side of the story than a tragic end during the NYC Draft Riots or Pale Feather’s family beyond the opening of the canal.
For the rest of the review, please visit CBS Local New York after 1/19/15 at http://newyork.cbslocal.com/top-lists/best-books-based-in-new-york/ .