Epic of New York City: A Narrative History

by Edward Robb Ellis

In swift, witty chapters that flawlessly capture the pace and character of New York City, acclaimed diarist Edward Robb Ellis presents his a thorough, and thoroughly readable, history of America's largest metropolis. Ellis narrates some of the most significant events of the past three hundred years and more -- the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr's fatal duel, the formation of the League of Nations, the Great Depression -- from the perspective of the city that experienced, and influenced, them all. Throughout, he infuses his account with the strange and delightful anecdotes that a less charming tour guide might omit, from the story of the city's first, block-long subway to that of the blizzard of 1888 that turned Macy's into one big slumber party. Playful yet authoritative, comprehensive yet intimate, The Epic of New York City confirms the words of its own epigraph, spoken by Oswald "World history is city history," particularly when that city is the Big Apple.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, New York, American History, Historical, Cities, 18th Century

641 pages, Paperback

First published October 24, 1966

Reviews

[Jon Agnar · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The best one-volume history of the metropolis ever published." Pete Hamill.
Simple as that, a marvellous read, enlightening, entertaining and informative. Loved it through all the 600 pages.

[mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is captivating and a great story. It starts to slow down a bit once new york evolves into a city with complicated government and lots of people to keep track of, but then boss tweed shows up and makes it totally worth it.
I read this in the first year I moved to new york; I took many a field trip to lower manhattan while I was reading it to get a better idea of where they were talking about. Of course seeing what is there now and reading what was there then was neat too.

[Ilysa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a "page turner" in the traditional sense...but the best book about New York. Edward Robb Ellis turns a normal history book into a story where you want to know what happens next. Interesting to find out the origin of street names and the development of the City that I love. Would recommend to anyone who is a history lover and especially to someone that loves the City of New York. Genius book and one that I re-read chapters from every now and then.

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Epic of New York City is not a comprehensive history of the metropolis. Rather, it is a series of chronological vignettes from the City's history. If the reader understands this fact, there is no way he or she can be disappointed by this wonderful chronicle. The book is exceptionally well written, often funny, and crammed with fascinating information that will inform even the most ardent students of Big Apple history

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author strings together a series of anecdotes and stories to tell the history of NYC. There were some links between stories, but for the most part the author did not weave them together to provide a detailed history. There wasn't much editorializing either.

One key take away for me was to read how the issues of race and class have been long standing, unresolved issues in NYC. The tension between the haves and have nots have defined the city for centuries.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the way this is written, in a straight up narrative style, without quotes, irony, and general post-modern bullshit. It's hard to read all at once though because it's so dense. I've been reading it a bit at a time.

[Michael Chirichella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply page after page of incredible information. I especially found the part about the geography of the city before and at the time of the the first visit by European explorers enlightening. Hard to put down. I've given it as a present to three friends so far and all of them have loved it

[Nicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you live, lived, or plan to live in nyc or just like nyc you should read this.

[Russell Glenn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lacking citations other than references noted in the bibliography, one must turn to additional material before accepting much of what is presented as factual. But one example: the passage on page 561 stating that the June 6, 1944 invasion of France was "delayed several weeks while Hyde's new 'grease-gun' went into production," the implication seeming to be that the event was held up primarily due to the need for a single weapon. Does address lesser historical events such as the desire by some in New York City to secede from the Union during the American Civil War in the service of business interests. Again, however, the lack of footnotes/end notes and errors such as that noted suggest fact checks are in order.

[Perky Texan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, truly and epic book. At 600 pages, this is not a quick read. I felt at times it was a little slow and got bogged down in details that weren't all the important. But it really is fascinating to learn the history of New York. I did wish there were maps included - streets and locations were listed all throughout, but if you're not familiar to New York, it was confusing. I really would have like to have been able to visualize where all these places were. And at times, I felt the author forgot that his audience isn't all from New York. There were definitely things that a native would get, but I found confusing bc I haven't been there. But overall, really interesting - just pace yourself. :)

[Adam McDonnell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is definitely worth a read and was on the whole really and enjoyable and informative. The sheer size of the book is a bit daunting, but helpfully this is broken up into manageable chapters.

My criticisms would be that overall this gets a bit repetitive and it's a shame that the story ends before modern New York as we know it.

Still, I think you'd be hard pushed to find a better, more thorough look at how the greatest city in the world came to be.

[E.T. McNamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who is interested in how NYC developed during its first 300 years, this book is filled with interesting and fascinating stories. What sets this book apart from the countless others is its narrative style in telling the history. If you love history and want to learn about the city's earlier events that made it what it is, this book is for you.

[Nam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Finished this in Lima

interesting little facts about nyc. the namesakes of squares and bridges and tunnels and airports. however it reads very unacademic and this guy loves to add in adjectives randomly

the story doesn't make sense at times but it is a struggle to condense so much history into one 600 page book. the ending is kind of week. the late 19th century is great for nyc and set the foundation of the great city

surprisingly not much about the implementation of the grid and the possible destruction on now beloved neighborhoods for an elevated highway or the construction of the rest of the subway system. i'm actually more interested in the infrastructure of nyc rather than the politics and corruption and and mob riots of nyc told in the book

[Christine Sirois · Rating 4 out of 5]

While far from a complete history (it ends abruptly with little to say of the early 1960s), this is a terrific primer on the early days of New York City. As a New New Yorker, i sought it out to learn who the streets are named after and why the place is so topsy-turvy. It delivered.

It's a wordy, old-fashioned style of writing but will certainly make you a hit at cocktail parties, trivia nights and walking around NYC with guests should retain the information.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must-read for anyone interested in New York. It may not be the most scholarly investigation of the city, but it is one of the most entertaining. If someone thinks history is dry, he or she should give this book a shot. It is anything but.

[columbialion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very through comprehensive overview of my home towns history. Chock full of a wealth of little known factoids about the City. Its narrative format really allows the reader to engage and identify with the historical characters.

[Randy Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a huge book and seems quite daunting at first. But the story of New York City is a magical one and Mr. Ellis tells it well. I was caught walking on the street with my nose stuck in this one often.

[Art · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found a way to make New York City kind of boring

[Vertigo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, irreverant and fascinating history of this wonderful city-- told in a relaxed narrative that keeps you interested in what could otherwise be a very boring 600-page tome.

[Shspector · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great history of NYC.

[SheRantz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super dense with amazing information but the kind of book you pick up and put down a few dozen times.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Often fascinating and sometimes shocking history of the City of New York, infinitely readable in its narrative styling.

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpectedly accessible and interesting! The first of a bazillion books about New York City that made me actually want to go to New York City.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book about new york city.