The Epic of New York City : A Narrative History

In swift, witty chapters that flawlessly capture the pace and character of New York City, acclaimed diarist Edward Robb Ellis presents his masterpiece: 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 Spengler: “World history is city history,” particularly when that city is the Big Apple. Library Journal Ellis's 1966 volume chronicles several centuries of New York City history. The story covers everything from riots, scandals, and dirty politics to the construction of the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and first skyscraper to the plan to build Manhattan into the world's greatest city. Epic indeed. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information. In swift, witty chapters that flawlessly capture the pace and character of New York City, acclaimed diarist Edward Robb Ellis presents his masterpiece: 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 Spengler: "World history is city history," particularly when that city is the Big Apple. "The Epic of New York City is among the most comprehensive books ever published on New York City ... From Peter Stuyvesant to Boss Tweed to Fiorello LaGuardia, from the first subway (one block long) to the first organized gang (started in a speakeasy near today's federal courthouse) prolific diarist Edward Robb Ellis traces four and a half centuries of colorful personalities and dramatic events."--Page 4 of cover "The Epic of New York City is among the most comprehensive books ever published on New York City. From Peter Stuyvesant to Boss Tweed to Fiorello LaGuardia, from the first subway (one block long) to the first organized gang (started in a speakeasy near today's federal courthouse) prolific diarist Edward Robb Ellis traces four and a half centuries of colorful personalities and dramatic events."--Jacket In narrative form, this book attempts to trace the evolution of New York City and reveal its organic relationship to the rest of the United States and all the world. Spans the 400 years of its development from the wooded, hilly island that Giovanni da Verrazano called "a pleasant place" in 1524, to the vast, vital metropolis of today. Learning that he is to have a new baby sister, Archie observes changes in his home and wonders if life will ever be the same after a frilly pink bundle arrives. Read more From acclaimed diarist Edward Robb Ellis, the irresistible classic Pete Hamill calls "the best one-volume history of the metropolis ever published." WHITE men saw Manhattan for the first time in April, 1524.