It Happened in Manhattan: An Oral History of Life in the City During the Mid-Twentieth Century [Hardcover]

Myrna Katz Frommer (Author), Harvey Frommer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 9, 2001

It's just a narrow island, only 22 square miles. But it's so much bigger than that. Now, in this album of period photos and first-person reminiscences, readers can experience the mosaic of midcentury Manhattan from Altman's to Zabar's. Ranging from the post-World War II years when the city came into its own to the mid-1970s when the city nearly went bust, this book features interviews with such New York luminaries as Jimmy Breslin, Bill Gallo, Monte Irvin, Robert Merrill, Herman Badillo, Elaine Kaufman, Jerry Della Femmina, and Pauline Trigere, plus the everyday people who form the hustle and bustle of the city's daily life. For anyone who grew up in or near "the city"-or fell in love with New York as an adult-this unique history, filled with vintage photos, is a compelling read...and a powerful testament to the indescribable mystique of magical, memorable Manhattan.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Great fun for those who recall the days of Tin Pan Alley and three baseball teams in one small, favored place. (Kirkus Reviews) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Myrna Katz Frommer and Harvey Frommer met as undergraduates at New York University. Co-authors of four critically acclaimed oral histories (It Happened in the Catskills; It Happened in Brooklyn; Growing Up Jewish in America; and It Happened on Broadway), they are cultural/oral historians who concentrate on New York City. Their work has appeared in such publications as The New York Times, Newsday, New York Daily News, Los Angeles Times, and Redbook. They are professors in the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program at Dartmouth College.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Hardcover; 1st edition (October 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425181693
• ISBN-13: 978-0425181690
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,120,243 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like riding a time machine - just great!, April 3, 2002

By 

Marv Rothenstein (, Harrison,NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: It Happened in Manhattan: An Oral History of Life in the City During the Mid-Twentieth Century (Hardcover)

THE CITY HEARD

Words can conjure up places and times as vividly as pictures do, especially when people are speaking from the heart, fueled by intimate experiences and affectionate memories of a place.

It Happened In Manhattan stitches together anecdotes and recollections told by a disparate group of Manhattanites - from writers and architects to rabbis and restaurateurs - all steeped in the spirit of the city where they live and work.

Stretching from the close of World War II through the psychedelic 60s and beyond, the subjects of the recollections are equally diverse. Many of the chapter headings come from songs - "East Side/West Side," "Puttin' on the Ritz" - reflecting the writers' wish to celebrate their city as enjoyably as generations of entertainers have. They also note its dark and somber sides.

Imaginatively chosen photos round out the portrait capturing nostalgic moments or illustrating stories told on adjoining pages. Flipping through the book is like riding a time machine to one of New York's energetic eras.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CAPTURES MANHATTAN, November 20, 2001

By 

harvey frommer - See all my reviews

This review is from: It Happened in Manhattan: An Oral History of Life in the City During the Mid-Twentieth Century (Hardcover)

Certainly is a handsome volume--good cover and
production values.And it captures Manhattan in a way that puts that borough in sharp contrast to Brooklyn. Those giving testimony in the Brooklyn book were steeped in the lore of their neighborhoods, knew their streets and schools, and rooted for their beloved bums.
A job well done--but, when can we expect "It Happened in Staten Island"?