Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898 [Hardcover]

This book's 1200 pages and substantial weight should not daunt prospective buyers, for it is has the flow of a well-written novel and holds the reader's attention from the outset. It covers every aspect of New York's growth through nearly three centuries, the emphasis shifting from chapter to chapter from the social to the economic to the industrial to the political, yet always maintaining an easy chronological flow. Old controversies and concerns, many long forgotten, are brought to life through the authors' emphasis on roles played by individuals, and by the hundreds of short biographical sketches woven seamlessly into in the narrative. To do "Gotham" justice would require a far longer review than this, and any one of a dozen different aspects could be selected for praise. The book's most striking feature is perhaps its delineation of the extent to which ethnic and religious resentments dominated the city right until the end of the nineteenth century, emphasising that the "melting pot" was a far from popular or comfortable process. Discrimination and oppression were inherent from the foundation of Nieuw Amsterdam and the later transition from colony to free republic did little to reduce them - indeed the most virulent hatreds appear to have seethed in the middle of the nineteenth century, as entrenched WASP interests resented and resisted the growing presence and power of German and Irish immigrants. The book ends with these interests in uneasy equilibrium and with the wave of Italian and Jewish new arrivals seeking to stake their own positions, with the later in particular bringing a new dimension in social awareness and responsibility. Throughout the period covered the plight of Black Americans is perhaps the most pitiful of all and provides a terrible counterpoint to the growth of prosperity enjoyed by part at least of all other ethnic groups. Though this history is rich in rascals of theatrical wickedness such as Bosses Tweed and Croker, the most odious personalities tend to be respectable establishment figures: the philanthropist John Pintard observing during the 1832 Cholera epidemic "that the sooner "the scum of the city" was dispatched, the sooner the fever, deprived of fodder, would pass" (p.591); the Reverend Henry Ward Beecher (then earning $30,000 per annum) drawing laughter and applause from his congregation during the 1870's Depression by reminding them that though man could not live by bread alone, a family could survive on bread and water - and water was free (p.1036); E.L.Godkin, editor of "The Nation" declaring during that same time of misery that "Free soup must be prohibited" (p.1031). Against so many dismal examples of intolerance, self-righteousness and greed the book's greatest strength is that it saves from obscurity the names of some many of the victims - and of their sufferings and their dignity. This reader, for one, cannot forget Caesar and Prince, Cuffee and Quack, black slaves burned alive for a pathetic conspiracy in 1741; or Clause, another slave, broken alive on the wheel outside City Hall and dying over many hours. Seventeen year-old Lanah Sawyer's wealthy rapist Henry Bedlow, may have been acquitted by a biased jury in 1793, and Lanah vilified, but she has her vindication in these pages. Cecilia and Wanda Stein live on through this book, starving German immigrants "unwilling to take up whoring", who spent their last pennies on some flowers, spruced up their dreary room, got into bed with Wanda's six-year old daughter, and swallowed prussic acid in 1852. There are countless other instances, and it is in its acknowledgement of the price paid by society's losers for the creation of the "Imperial City" of the climax that this work finds its true grandeur. In summary, this is a splendid history, magnificent in conception, thorough and generous-spirited in execution. The reader is left waiting impatiently for the next volume that will carry the story further by another century.

This is a stunning piece of work, charting the history of New York up 'till just prior to the 20th century when the current adminstrative boundies of the city were established.

This is very much the full story of the city, warts and all, from pre-European days, through the Dutch settlement, the English take-over, the War of Independance, the civil war and on.

The book is divided into logical phases of development. In each phase the authors look at the economic, social and municipal development of the city. Changes in science and culture are covered thoroughly and various waves of immigration considered thoughtfully.

Of course, the history of New York is the history of America and, in many ways, the history ofwhat we now thing of as the western world.

Readind this book is not a project to be taken lightly - at over 1,500 pages you need to give it the proper time. But the authors write like angels. Their style is witty, pacey. They have accomplished their task with verve.

Above all else they capture the excitement of New York. Read the introduction and you can see what they are trying to do. The last sentance of the intro sets the scene "And now; on with the show!)

Everything you could want in a history book. It's authorative, wide ranging and very entertaining!

A herculean work of epic proportions and historical importance that cannot be equalled. Ric Burns, the well regarded award winning Director of 'NEW YORK: A Documentary Film' says "There has simply never been anything quite like this extraordinary and capacious history of the city. Analytically penetrating, indefatigably scholarly in its painstaking accumulation of detail and event, and for all its size written with remarkable energy and grace, it must stand as the 'definitive narrative reference for scholars, students, and anyone else obsessed with the endlessly fascinating sprawl of New York's four-century-long history."

It is not surprising that the gargantuan task of researching and writing this 1200 page plus 'masterpiece' took the two authors Professors of History, Edwin Burrows and Mike Wallace over 20 years.

I will not pretend to have read the entire book, that is a pleasure still to come. My all-consuming passion is endeavouring to learn as much as possible about the evolution of New York from the 'stomping grounds' for the indigenous American Indians into arguably the greatest city in the world in a relative short space of time and so each book I read in this context, I, also frequently refer to the relevant period and/or subject in 'GOTHAM' to add 'flesh' to my readings. Some of the areas I have so far covered in this manner have been Municipal governance, the explosive growth of immigrants in the early 19th century and the attendant filth, squalor,and crime, obtaining a healthy water supply from Croton, The Erie Canal Era, and the coming of Steam Ships and much besides. For each subject matter covered I have been able to greatly intensify my understanding and appreciation with frequent cross-readings from 'GOTHAM'.

This is not a starchy book for academics but a most interestingly written tome with a very light touch, similar in style to that of journalists and in addition to giving a wealth of detailed information also allows the reader to get an appreciation of the sights, sounds and atmosphere of one of the most turbulent, and yet vibrant periods in the ripening of one of the Wonders of the World - New York City.

A fitting tribute was made about this book by Mrs Vincent Astor who commented "I was transported back in time. I was fascinated as door after door was mentally opened as I turned page after page. I have never read a book that tells so interestingly who we are and how we got to where we are."

This book would definitely be my choice for my only reading material if shipwrecked on a desert island, although on reflection the weight of "GOTHAM" might well contribute to sinking of the vessel in the first place!