Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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"?