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A review by josephtremblay
Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898 by Edwin G. Burrows, Mike Wallace
5.0
When I began reading this book (on Vanetine's Day), I thought it would take about a month to read (it's 1,236 pages long - not including the references & index). I didn't think it would take more than twice that long.
It was worth the effort, though.
If you want to read a thorough history of New York City, from before the Europeans arrived through the nineteenth century (this volume stops at 1898 - the year when Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island merged to form the current New York City), read this book.
A few themes come up repeatedly throughout the book - particularly economic recessions, labour relations and what to do with the poor - this is certainly not a narrow history. Beyond the political, econimic, and cultural evolution of the city, the book also tells the stories of ordinary (and extraordinary) residents. In the words of the authors, this is a book about "sex and sewer systems, finance and architecture, immigration and politics, poetry and crime."
I'm glad I read it. I look forward to reading the next volume (covering the years 1898 - 1919) but I'm going to enjoy some (shorter) fiction first.
It was worth the effort, though.
If you want to read a thorough history of New York City, from before the Europeans arrived through the nineteenth century (this volume stops at 1898 - the year when Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island merged to form the current New York City), read this book.
A few themes come up repeatedly throughout the book - particularly economic recessions, labour relations and what to do with the poor - this is certainly not a narrow history. Beyond the political, econimic, and cultural evolution of the city, the book also tells the stories of ordinary (and extraordinary) residents. In the words of the authors, this is a book about "sex and sewer systems, finance and architecture, immigration and politics, poetry and crime."
I'm glad I read it. I look forward to reading the next volume (covering the years 1898 - 1919) but I'm going to enjoy some (shorter) fiction first.