New York City: A Short History [Paperback]

George J. Lankevich (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0814751865 | ISBN-13: 978-0814751862

From its origins as a primitive Dutch outpost to the sprawling urban complex it is today, the defining characteristic of New York has been constant, dramatic, and rapid change.

Formerly published as An American Metropolis, this new edition features a new preface in which Lankevich discusses the impact of the events of September 11 on the city, as well as an updated final chapter on the Giuliani administration. By understanding the history of New York, we obtain a vital sense of what America was, is, and can become.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Here, as in New York itself, may be found everything and everyone, from the first inept Dutch leader, William Verhulst, to the number of saloons in 1820, to the budget debacles of the 1970s."

-The New York Times Book Review,

"A splendid work of history that expands our understanding and appreciation of New York City . . . a concise, clear, and meaningful guidebook covering New York's long past."

-Journal of American History,

"Lankevich has done the near-impossible and packed almost four centuries of New York City into one slim history . . . a deft survey."

-New York History,

About the Author

George J. Lankevich has written more than thirty books, has contributed many articles to The Encyclopedia of New York City, and is the author of Postcards from Times Square, Postcards from Manhattan, and New York City: A Short History (NYU Press). Professor emeritus of history at Bronx Community College, he lives in Manhasset, New York.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: NYU Press (September 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814751865
• ISBN-13: 978-0814751862
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #763,609 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great NYC History Book, September 30, 2005

By 

Dave From Ohio (Mentor, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: New York City: A Short History (Paperback)

If you are looking for a thorough and well-organized history of New York City this book will suit your needs. Sure, it may not be as detailed as "Gotham" but most of us will not want that level of depth. This book is wisely broken into sections that mirror the terms of the various governors and mayors of the Big Apple-and, really, why wouldn't that be the best way to present this story. The reading is quick and clear and you'll know everything the average person would want to know about NYC.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars deadly boring, September 24, 2003

By 

Jesse Kanner (Brooklyn, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: New York City: A Short History (Paperback)

Having just moved to NYC I bought this dog expecting to get a quick brush up on the fascinating story of America's Greatest City. Instead I was burdened with endless trivia about who was mayor or who ran Tammany Hall at any given moment in New York's history.

Obviously this angle is part of the big picture of The City, but it comes off the page very flat and, sadly, uninteresting. There is scant attention paid to the million and one other details about New York life that one really wants to hear about: art, culture, social life, transportation, etc.

The writing is intelligent enough. The author is clearly a smart person with a lot of interest in his subject. It's just that enduring this book is more like watching someone's vacation slides and less like the inspiring, terse and revealing story you hope you'd get when you bought the thing.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Succinct History, December 18, 2003

By 

Francis McInerney (Katonah, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: New York City: A Short History (Paperback)

A Short History is exactly that. Succinct and to the point, structured around the political evolution of the city, using New York's succession of mayors as its main vehicle.

Editing: Four Stars. Simple structure and well managed.

Copy Editing: Four Stars. One or two things slipped by. James, Duke of York, after whom the city is named, is called, oddly, Duke James instead of the Duke of York, or more properly, York. Otherwise clean copy.