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New York: An Illustrated History
The companion volume to the PBS television series, with more than 500 full-color and black-and-white illustrations
This lavish and handsomely produced book captures all the beauty, complexity, and power of New York -- the city that seems the very embodiment of ambition, aspiration, romance, desire; the city that has epitomized the entire parade of modern life, with all its possibilities and problems. Chronicling the story of New York from its establishment as a Dutch trading post in 1624 to its global preeminence today, the book is at once the biography of a great city and a vivid exploration of the myriad forces -- commercial, cultural, demographic -- that converged in New York to usher in the contemporary world.
Weaving the strands of the city's sweeping history into a single compelling narrative, New York carries us through nearly four centuries of turbulent growth and change -- from the first settlement on the tip of "Manna-hata" Island to the destruction wrought by the Revolutionary War; to the city's stunning emergence in the nineteenth century as the nation's premier industrial metropolis; to the waves of early-twentieth-century immigration that forever transformed the city and the nation; to New York's transfiguration as the world's first modern city -- pioneering skyscrapers, apartment houses, subways, and highways -- and its role as the birthplace of so much of American popular culture. Along the way, we witness the building of the city's celebrated landmarks and neighborhoods, from the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty to the Empire State Building and the United Nations; from Wall Street and Times Square to the Lower East Side, Harlem, and SoHo.
The book brims with vibrant illustrations, including hundreds of rare photographs, paintings, lithographs, prints, and period maps. The narrative incorporates the voices and stories of men and women -- statesmen, entrepreneurs, artists, and visionaries -- who have lived in and built the an extraordinary cast of characters that includes Peter Stuyvesant, Alexander Hamilton, John Jacob Astor, Walt Whitman, Boss Tweed, Jacob Riis, Emma Lazarus, J. P. Morgan, Al Smith, F. Scott Fitzgerald, George Gershwin, Fiorello La Guardia, Robert Moses, and Jane Jacobs.
Accompanying the book's narrative are interviews with Robert A. Caro, David Levering Lewis, and Robert A. M. Stern, and essays by a group of distinguished New York historians and critics -- Kenneth T. Jackson, Mike Wallace, Marshall Berman, Phillip Lopate, Carol Berkin, and Daniel Czitrom -- who add their insights about the city to this splendid history.
This lavish and handsomely produced book captures all the beauty, complexity, and power of New York -- the city that seems the very embodiment of ambition, aspiration, romance, desire; the city that has epitomized the entire parade of modern life, with all its possibilities and problems. Chronicling the story of New York from its establishment as a Dutch trading post in 1624 to its global preeminence today, the book is at once the biography of a great city and a vivid exploration of the myriad forces -- commercial, cultural, demographic -- that converged in New York to usher in the contemporary world.
Weaving the strands of the city's sweeping history into a single compelling narrative, New York carries us through nearly four centuries of turbulent growth and change -- from the first settlement on the tip of "Manna-hata" Island to the destruction wrought by the Revolutionary War; to the city's stunning emergence in the nineteenth century as the nation's premier industrial metropolis; to the waves of early-twentieth-century immigration that forever transformed the city and the nation; to New York's transfiguration as the world's first modern city -- pioneering skyscrapers, apartment houses, subways, and highways -- and its role as the birthplace of so much of American popular culture. Along the way, we witness the building of the city's celebrated landmarks and neighborhoods, from the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty to the Empire State Building and the United Nations; from Wall Street and Times Square to the Lower East Side, Harlem, and SoHo.
The book brims with vibrant illustrations, including hundreds of rare photographs, paintings, lithographs, prints, and period maps. The narrative incorporates the voices and stories of men and women -- statesmen, entrepreneurs, artists, and visionaries -- who have lived in and built the an extraordinary cast of characters that includes Peter Stuyvesant, Alexander Hamilton, John Jacob Astor, Walt Whitman, Boss Tweed, Jacob Riis, Emma Lazarus, J. P. Morgan, Al Smith, F. Scott Fitzgerald, George Gershwin, Fiorello La Guardia, Robert Moses, and Jane Jacobs.
Accompanying the book's narrative are interviews with Robert A. Caro, David Levering Lewis, and Robert A. M. Stern, and essays by a group of distinguished New York historians and critics -- Kenneth T. Jackson, Mike Wallace, Marshall Berman, Phillip Lopate, Carol Berkin, and Daniel Czitrom -- who add their insights about the city to this splendid history.
640 pages, Hardcover
First published November 2, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 24, 2015
Having read over 100 histories of New York [both illustraqted and non, this book towers above even the best. Sadly,it seems that Knopf totally missed the boat in promoting this masterful work.
Brilliantly formatted, photographically edited and incisively written it is for all who have a passion for New York's past.
Brilliantly formatted, photographically edited and incisively written it is for all who have a passion for New York's past.
July 29, 2022
After seeing this book during my trip to New York City this year, I decided to take on the gargantuan task of reading it in its entirety. Over more than 800 pages, Ric Burns and James Sanders have adapted their PBS documentary series on the city's history to a compelling overview of all of the challenges the city has faced and the success of the people in overcoming each of them. The challenges have included British occupation during the Revolutionary War, the arrival of immigrants who would have to adjust to a new culture, the poverty of lower class residents, racial segregation, and four frightening developments from the twenty-first century: the 9/11 attacks, the economic crisis of 2008, the superstorm Sandy, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The underlying theme throughout the book is that New York's people have proven resilient even when critics wondered whether some of these events would prove to be the downfall of the city or of large metropolises in general. The authors explain all of these developments in easy to understand language that reflects their enthusiasm for the city. The book is also a visual feast, containing many useful photos to go along with the text. I recommend it not only for historians of New York, but also historians of the United States like myself who will recognize many of the themes from our work on the nation as a whole.
November 27, 2017
I read this book for a New York State History class I took in college. It is one of the few college "textbooks" I still have and refer to. Fantastic source and beautiful pictures. I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a comprehensive history on the state.
December 6, 2021
Picked this large tome up at a yard sale thinking it was worth browsing for the old maps and stunning photographs. But I ended up reading it cover to cover over time, pleasantly surprised at the quality of scholarship and writing. Very much enjoyed the early colonial section and the focus on Dutch to British transition. The period from 1910 - 1960 is also really well documented with a great survey of Robert Moses’ impact (both positive and negative) as well as the shift between unbridled capitalistic optimism in the 20s to more sober reforms and balance brought by LaGuardia afterwards. It unfortunately skimps over how the city headed to bankruptcy by the mid 70s, which I’d have liked to understand better.
The book was written in 1999, before sept 11 and all the changes it brought us. Was eerie to read about a plane hitting the Empire State Building in 1945 and how it made NYers worry that “fire could rain from the sky” and realize the authors didn’t know what was coming just a few years later. Also surprisingly (for someone reading this work during Covid), there was not one mention of the Spanish flu, which must have wreaked havoc on the city…how odd. And I wish the 1970s-1990s were better covered, those years are more touched on as epilogue. But overall the book is incredibly well put together, far surpassing what you expect from “illustrated” histories.
The book was written in 1999, before sept 11 and all the changes it brought us. Was eerie to read about a plane hitting the Empire State Building in 1945 and how it made NYers worry that “fire could rain from the sky” and realize the authors didn’t know what was coming just a few years later. Also surprisingly (for someone reading this work during Covid), there was not one mention of the Spanish flu, which must have wreaked havoc on the city…how odd. And I wish the 1970s-1990s were better covered, those years are more touched on as epilogue. But overall the book is incredibly well put together, far surpassing what you expect from “illustrated” histories.
July 13, 2024
This is a GIANT book. So full of fascinating information and beautiful photos.
October 1, 2011
What everybody is saying about this book is absolutely true. It is an excellent, comprehensive, beautiful, and highly readable history of the most fascinating and vibrant city in America. It is written not as a continuous narrative, but as a series of essays accompanying the remarkable images that show the story. Many times I found myself wanting to read the rest of the story in an essay, but this is not any one story, but hundreds of windows. We get to read about the context and a little of the history of the images we see, but there is rarely a direct follow-up. What happens after the picture may come up much later, or not at all. Despite the fact that I was constantly wanting more, the book taken as a whole feels complete and remarkably satisfying.
January 8, 2009
Ok, I'll admit it, I'm addicted to NYC and anything about it. It's not just cuz I've been there a gazillion times. Even if I didn't live near the city, I would still gobble up anything about it. This book IS great, ya'll! The pictures alone make it worth it, but wait...there's also informative text to go along with it. If you're interested in the history of the Big Apple, or just like lugging around big books, you definitely gotta check this book about. Would I lie to you about great literature? Maybe, but you're in luck that today is not that day.
January 31, 2022
This vast work on the city by Ric Burns and James Sanders with Lisa Ades based on an earlier PBS special is, according to the publisher, "An expanded edition of the only comprehensive illustrated history of New York--with more than 600 ravishing photographs and illustrations." Last published in 2003, the authors have added chapters that include 9/11, recent natural disasters, and the pandemic. Don't be intimidated by the 829 pages or the weight of the book. As noted many of the pages are visuals, all interesting and pertinent to the period being described from maps and paintings during the founding in the 16oos to recent images.
July 4, 2012
I have the hardcover coffee table version of this book, and similar to "The Civil War" (by Ric's brother Ken) this book does justice what was a great documentary miniseries. Both the documentary and the book do a great job supplying history and illustrations to show NYC's ups and downs - and how it became the greatest city in the world. My edition does not include the events of 9/11, whereas current editions of the documentary include a 9/11 coda episode.
February 1, 2009
A fascinating depiction of NYC from its origins as a Dutch outpost up to, and including, the events of 9/11. All the info is laid out both chronologically and by topics.
This coffeetable book is an excellent companion to the six DVD set that was released a few years back. I HIGHLY recommend both of them; although one their own they are an educational look at the Big Apple.
This coffeetable book is an excellent companion to the six DVD set that was released a few years back. I HIGHLY recommend both of them; although one their own they are an educational look at the Big Apple.
April 5, 2014
A huge tome of a book, but so engrossing. I was caught up in the city from 1609 to 1999 for hours on end. So many great stories and with wonderful interesting photos to match. I have been to New York many times, but this will make future visits all the more meaningful. I want to now find the PBS series that this companion book is from.
November 8, 2010
Excellent historical review of NYC - stunning photographs. Gives wonderful perspective and insight on how environmental, economic, and social factors influenced the evolutionary process this powerhouse city.
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January 11, 2013Great pictures. Kinda skimpy on the history and long on boosterism. (New York is big! And busy! And growing bigger and busier every decade!) Lots of breathless prose but it's a good quick-ish overview of the city. It's mostly Manhattan- and landmark-centic (of course).
December 23, 2007
Greatest historical overview of the greatest city on earth.
January 21, 2008
This is a gorgeous volume chock full of history and illustrations. Massive. Masterful. Like it's subject.
February 1, 2008
If you're looking for a book about the history of New York that is easy to read and fills you up, this is the one. It is an excellent book.
February 10, 2008
Very interesting, with lots of great illustrations and photographs.
August 4, 2008
This book is adapted from the PBS series by Ken Burns. I've never seen the series, but I loved this book. Excellent complete history of New York City.
January 2, 2009
OMG. I love this book. This is where I really started to learn about and appreciate New York City.
November 3, 2013
A great history of America's greatest city.
March 13, 2012
huge, fascinating and smooth reading. you can't carry this around, but you'll want to.
October 3, 2018
Great series, great book. No story untold about NYC's primary place in the nation's history.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews