Interesting NYC history
352342
I love a good history book.  This is a fascinating history of New York, architecture and some of the rich and famous of New York behaving badly.
4157807
Fascinating account of what goes (went) on under the sidewalks of New York City.
1046874
This is a book that gives an interesting view of life in New York City around the end of the 18th century, and the beginning of the 19th. It is the true story of a murder of a young woman, whose body was found in a well. Suspicion then focused on a young man who lived in the same boarding house as the woman, and things don't look too good for him.

 Enter the defense team of Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, and another well known local lawyer. Wow, the reader thinks, those two working together! Remember that at that time New York City was not very large or populous, and in courts the same small group of attorneys met each other and contended with each other, sometime on one side of a matter, and sometime on the other side of another matter.

 Hamilton and Burr make an excellent defense team, as each has particular skills that complement the skills of the other. The reason this case is still known is that it was the first case in the country where the proceedings were taken down in a form of shorthand and later published for all to read..

 As an attorney myself, I found the trial fascinating, not only for what happened, but for how the criminal justice system differed then from how we approach it now. The author builds up the suspense until the verdict is reached. After that, there is a short coda about the famous Hamilton - Burr duel, and a reciting of what happened to many of the key players in this matter. It's a very good book to read, and I can strongly recommend it.
3606143
A nicely detailed account of one of New York City's treasures.
4560651
Great read.  Really held my interest and I learned a lot about New York and the middle east. Would recommend.
2386327
An unusual story. Loved the history of Coney Island. Learned a few new things.
933651
The photos are interesting and eclectic and the stories behind each one are fascinating. I have been following Brandon Stanton's Facebook page and it is one of the highlights of my day. My daughter works in NYC and has come across some of these people, both in the streets and on the trains. My copy was an advanced order and now I will order more to give to my New York friends and to my Snow Bird friends who miss the color and drama of the city.
2320711
"The Island at the Center of the World" is an entertaining and informative history of the Dutch colonies in New York, with some coverage of other colonies in the area.

As the title suggests, the author makes a point of emphasizing the importance of New York in history. Sometimes he stretches a point, but nobody who has ever lived near to NYC will be surprised by that world view.

Shorto's style is engaging and popular, and this book is a quick read. Even correcting for the New York area's usual sense of self-importance, this history is an important part of understanding the formation of the USA.
4679914
Burrows and Wallace have put together an excellent narrative of the social history of New York City.  They relay the events from the first European discovery of Manhattan to the unification of the Five Burroughs with clarity and concision.
3530010
With NYC info as the back story - great book - I recommend this book highly.  It is long, but worth it.
4655479
I've always appreciated the unique style and details of the NYC subway system.  And being a history affecionado as well, this book satisfied my curiosity.  A nice blend of historical description, nice collection of photos.  I think ultimately it's more on the photo side, but there are succinct captions for each of them.

This is not really a thorough history book but I would describe more as a jumping point should you decide it's something you want to know more about.
271867
I am interested in the history of New York City, particularly Manhattan. There are several books on this topic that presents a good discussion of the history of the city, through photographs, as it evolved through 19th and 20th centuries. This book stands out as one of the few that goes as far back as 1853 with meticulously re-touched and upgraded pictures that are delightful for many enthusiasts like me. The book covers New York City from 1853-1901 with 196 wonderful photographs: You will find pictures of the great 1888 New York City Blizzard, Lincoln's funeral procession, historic buildings, and the whole works. French photographer Victor Prevost's wax paper negatives made in 1853 and 1854, perhaps the oldest remaining view of the city, is included in this book. Some of my favorites include; Battery and East River waterfront area; the Broadway area north of 14th Street around Midtown Manhattan; East and West of Fifth Avenue area; Washington Square area and Central Park. In this book, you see people and life as the city passes through winters & summers, happy times & sad times. They are not just photographs but a cultural history of a city that never sleeps.
4877853
This is a very well written and thorough history of the city, with just enough human interest to keep you reading. At some points you want more information, but then again there is a lot to cover. It definitely makes me want to go for a tour and check out some neighborhoods and buildings over again. He humanizes the city, and reminds us that it is not the place mentioned in political debates.
3900077
Interesting stories that are history.  Good reading for the commuter bus to & from NYC.  I love geography, and this bool has been fun to read.  And I am learning about America while I enjoy the book! That's a good deal.
931943
I was born in NYC and loved to read about the city's underbelly history. Alas, font size was itty-bitty! This is such a large body of work, so I understand a small font size was necessary to keep the page count small. Other than that, I recommend it for anyone interested in NYC's history, basically that of Manhattan.
4804695
this is the first book I've purchased for my Kindle. The history of Manhattan as well as some areas of Upstate New York is interesting. The maps and illustrations are fantastic.
1251099
I love the author's decision to follow one Dutch family's history from the first ancestors who came to New York to contemporary time. Of particular interest to me is the historical background of the city that is masterfully interwoven through the story. Having been born and raised in New York City, I love reading about the streets that I've walked and the places that I've seen. Whether you love or hate this city, you will enjoy this book!