New York
Elizabeth L. BradleyNew York mixes history with high and low culture to make a Manhattan cocktail both enjoyable and practical, for the armchair traveller and true tourist alike. It traces the development of the city from a Dutch trading post to one of the world capitals of business, media and the arts, introducing readers to the city’s most important – and colourful – dramatis personae along the way. A history of the five boroughs is followed by a series of ruminations on New York today – the city’s natural landmarks, unnatural gin joints, immigrant enclaves and even its noises – providing thoughtful, eclectic lists of where to eat, drink and shop, and what to see, hear and do.
A lively and engaging account from a native New Yorker, featuring illustrations both historical and contemporary, New York takes a broad-ranging approach to the elusive, shape-shifting city that will leave readers with a feeling of ownership and insight into the Big Apple both past and present, and perhaps their own nickname for it as well.
From The Big Apple to The City that Never Sleeps, New York has many identities. This most kinetic of cities has myriad meanings and shifting identities – it is a jumble of peoples and cultures, a capital of finance and commerce and a mecca of fashion, art and entertainment. It is the home of the United Nations and Wall Street, and also the destination for millions of tourists each year. It is difficult to make sense of a place as loud, bright and busy as NYC, but this concise and witty guidebook is a sane place to start.
Mixing a historical perspective with high and low culture, New York traces the development of the city from a Dutch trading post to a world capital of business, media and the arts, introducing readers to its most important – and colourful – dramatis personae along the way. A rich account of the city’s past is followed by a series of ruminations on New York today – its natural landmarks, unnatural gin joints, immigrant enclaves and even its noises; the book also provides considered, eclectic lists of where to eat, drink and shop and what to see, hear and do.
A measured and engaging account from a native New Yorker complemented by illustrations both historical and contemporary, New York takes a broad-ranging approach that will leave readers with a fresh insight into this elusive, shape-shifting metropolis.
New York mixes history with high and low culture to make a Manhattan cocktail both enjoyable and practical, for the armchair traveller and true tourist alike. It traces the development of the city from a Dutch trading post to one of the world capitals of business, media and the arts, introducing readers to the city’s most important – and colourful – dramatis personae along the way. A history of the five boroughs is followed by a series of ruminations on New York today – the city’s natural landmarks, unnatural gin joints, immigrant enclaves and even its noises – providing thoughtful, eclectic lists of where to eat, drink and shop, and what to see, hear and do.
A lively and engaging account from a native New Yorker, featuring illustrations both historical and contemporary, New York takes a broad-ranging approach to the elusive, shape-shifting city that will leave readers with a feeling of ownership and insight into the Big Apple both past and present, and perhaps their own nickname for it as well.
From The Big Apple to The City that Never Sleeps, New York has many identities. This most kinetic of cities has myriad meanings and shifting identities – it is a jumble of peoples and cultures, a capital of finance and commerce and a mecca of fashion, art and entertainment. It is the home of the United Nations and Wall Street, and also the destination for millions of tourists each year. It is difficult to make sense of a place as loud, bright and busy as NYC, but this concise and witty guidebook is a sane place to start.
Mixing a historical perspective with high and low culture, New York traces the development of the city from a Dutch trading post to a world capital of business, media and the arts, introducing readers to its most important – and colourful – dramatis personae along the way. A rich account of the city’s past is followed by a series of ruminations on New York today – its natural landmarks, unnatural gin joints, immigrant enclaves and even its noises; the book also provides considered, eclectic lists of where to eat, drink and shop and what to see, hear and do.
A measured and engaging account from a native New Yorker complemented by illustrations both historical and contemporary, New York takes a broad-ranging approach that will leave readers with a fresh insight into this elusive, shape-shifting metropolis.
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This is a witty and sophisticated guide to Manhattan, with some references to the other boroughs, and its a book for people who know New York well, as much as it is for visitors. The author delivers her guide in the context of an intelligent and thoughtful history, rendered more like a conversation with a brilliant and urbane professor than a formal narrative or guide. Suggested explorations of the city are presented in the context of history and clever themes carefully chosen listings for hotels, restaurants, bars, and other venues are delightful to read regardless of ones intention to patronize them.
'The New York Researcher
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Great things come in small packages: this concise history of the Empire City is a smart and lively read, as fast-paced and colorful as Gotham itself. Bradley is a thoughtful and witty tour guide, and her book makes an excellent travel companion for tourists and natives alike.
'Susan Henshaw Jones, Ronay Menschel Director, Museum of the City of New York
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Elizabeth Bradleys concise and compelling history gracefully traces the Citys rise from Dutch trading center (enriched by Algonquin and slave labor) to world capital. Anyone who likes, loves, or tolerates New York will adore this fine book.'
'Paul LeClerc, President Emeritus, The New York Public Library
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Newcomers will love Bradleys tips on finding true ethnic enclaves and the best resting (or trysting) spots in the citys museums, while locals will appreciate a remarkably insightful analysis of the changes in the citys collective psyche in the wake of 9/11. This brisk, illuminating, and highly entertaining book belongs on the bookshelf of every New York City admirer and isnt that simply everyone?
'Sherill Tippins, author of Inside the Dream Palace: The Life and Times of New Yorks Legendary Chelsea Hotel
Prologue
History
1. From Manhattan to Nieuw Amsterdam
2. The First New York
3. A Post of Infinite Importance
4. Gotham
5. Money Town
6. Knickerbocker Village
7. The World of Tomorrow
8. Fun City
9. The Capital of the World
The City Today
Dives and Speakeasies
Enclaves
Chinatowns
Sounds
Parks
Water
Museums
Flotsam and Jetsam
Listings
Chronology
References
Suggested Reading and Viewing
Acknowledgements
Photo Acknowledgements
Index
Elizabeth L. Bradley is a historian who has written widely on New York’s literature and history. She is the author of Knickerbocker: The Myth Behind New York (2009) and the editor of an edition of Washington Irving’s A History of New York (2008). She lives in Brooklyn, New York.