A history of the Manhattan building and its famous tenants, from Lauren Bacall to John Lennon, by the New York Times–bestselling author of “Our Crowd”. When Singer sewing machine tycoon Edward Clark built a luxury apartment building on Manhattan’s Upper West Side in the late 1800s, it was derisively dubbed “the Dakota” for being as far from the center of the downtown action as its namesake … downtown action as its namesake territory on the nation’s western frontier. Despite its remote location, the quirky German Renaissance–style castle, with its intricate façade, peculiar interior design, and gargoyle guardians peering down on Central Park, was an immediate hit, particularly among the city’s well-heeled intellectuals and artists.
Over the next century it would become home to an eclectic cast of celebrity residents—including Boris Karloff, Lauren Bacall, Leonard Bernstein, singer Roberta Flack (the Dakota’s first African-American resident), and John Lennon and Yoko Ono—who were charmed by its labyrinthine interior and secret passageways, its mysterious past, and its ghosts. Stephen Birmingham, author of the New York society classic “Our Crowd”, has written an engrossing history of the first hundred years of one of the most storied residential addresses in Manhattan and the legendary lives lived within its walls.
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Never finished this book too boring ot well writte
My only complaint about this book is that I didn’t realize it was written in 1979, when John Lennon was still alive, when I purchased it. Still interesting, but I’m sure that there’s much that’s missing from the book given the intervening years.
Stephen Birmingham gets to the heart of cultures and communities in the most readable, “social insider”, “here’s the inside scoop” kind of ways. He gets to the gossipy fascinating details we all want to know!
Book written years ago…hoped for something more current…
Enjoyed reading about the historic building.
This book kept my interest all the way to the end. Most New Yorkers don’t know the full history of the Dakota. Mr Birmingham does a lot of research before he writes anything. Kudos
I learned so much about the Dakota
Historical fiction is a weakness. This book did not disappoint.
Interesting for the history of the hotel but too much detail. Would nor recommend.
Pretty dry history book. Great if you want to learn about the hostory of NYC..
I didn’t care for this book. Written in a boring narrative style.
I love New York City and I love the Dakota. The back story here is magical
If anyone had ever been to or lived in New York City, they would love this book. The characters were fascinating and it portrayed a very good overview of the economics and culture of the times since The Dakota was built.
I love NYC and this book is packed with history, not just of the Dakota bldg, but of the people that lived there and the city around it.
Interesting history
Nearly everything you ever wanted to know about one of NYC’s most iconic and instantly recognizable buildings. Deep history about the more well known as well as the lesser known residents of the Dakota. Well worth the read.
Interesting but not up to date. Written in 1979.
Loved it, so fascinated with people, it was written with truth, which I’m fond of.
Walk down memory lane with all the names dropped.
I got through about 2 chapters — I was bored. I purchased this book looking for anecdotes about life at the Dakota, which is the title of the book, not a history of apartments in New York. Wasn’t my cup of tea.