Winner of the David J. Langum, Sr., Prize in American Historical Fiction Named one of the best books of the year by The Washington Post and “Required Reading” by the New York Post Edward Rutherfurd celebrates America’s greatest city in a rich, engrossing saga, weaving together tales of families rich and poor, native-born and immigrant—a cast of fictional and true characters whose fates rise and … fictional and true characters whose fates rise and fall and rise again with the city’s fortunes. From this intimate perspective we see New York’s humble beginnings as a tiny Indian fishing village, the arrival of Dutch and British merchants, the Revolutionary War, the emergence of the city as a great trading and financial center, the convulsions of the Civil War, the excesses of the Gilded Age, the explosion of immigration in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the trials of World War II, the near demise of New York in the 1970s and its roaring rebirth in the 1990s, and the attack on the World Trade Center. A stirring mix of battle, romance, family struggles, and personal triumphs, New York: The Novel gloriously captures the search for freedom and opportunity at the heart of our nation’s history.
more
I absolutely loved this book. If you like Historical Fiction and family sagas, then this is the author for you. While the families are fictional, it tells a true history of NYC from the days of the Native Americans all the way through 2009. I found it fascinating and immensely interesting. Although the book is very long, I flew through the pages …
this book is a great rainy day read. it covers the city from the time it was new Amsterdam to the world trade center bombing.
it is a comprehensive study of the different times and people.
to read of having to travel by boat from one borough to another is mind boggling.
I often wait for a person to pull out a cell phone to hurry a solution.
love …
I have been learning quite a bit about my ancestors recently and have discovered that I had direct ancestors from more than one line that came from the Netherlands and England to New Amsterdam (New York area in the early to mid 1600’s). I have been reading several informational books and chose this book also. There are many facts from the …
I’ve loved all of Edward Rutherfurd’s books. And this one was no exception. Another long tome, but one I could happily read again and again. The world building is exceptional, the way he links the histories of the various characters is incredible. I wish I could world-build as well as he can! Loved it. Best read on a long flight to New York so …
Pretty laborious, but I’ve learned so much about names, locations, etc.
I love Edward Rutherford’s style in starting from the early days of a county, or in this case a city and just breaks down the history as the location grows and evolvs. Stunning.
great history of NY
Love Edward Rutherford”s books. They are very well researched & very informative!
I love all of the Edward Rutherford books. This was one of my favorites. He makes learning history relative to my life and entertaining.
His histories are packed with facts. Fast paced? No, but well written and you’ll learn a lot
Fabulous
Sweeping epic historical novel tracing several families in New York from 1664 to 2009. The author did a great job of highlighting various parts of history and how New Yorkers adapted to events. This novel followed these families through highs and lows, wars and peace, joy and sorrow. The novel examined poverty and wealth and some race issues, but …
This was the first of 4 books by this author, i owned the rest as well> I have read historic fiction most of my life, His books are closer to James Michener then Leon Uris, two others I love, In that his book follows one place on the globe and tells the story of the history of the place thru the eyes of one or a few fictional families.
I have …
Oh, yes–this is how I love to learn history–through fiction!! This was an absorbing look at the development of the great city from its very early times to the 21st Century. Fascinating characters carry the reader through the city’s dramatic growth and make it very real in human terms. As a young woman I traveled the world with Michener; now …
Very slow with an ocean of minutiae
One of the better volumes depicting New York in all its glory and not-so-glorious times.
I find New York inspirational to all Americans. This book measures up. Truly a joy to read
Good insight into the history of New York
Interesting, but long
Loved it!