Washington Heights, Inwood, and Marble Hill (NY) (Images of America) [Paperback]

James Renner (Author)

Book Description

Series: Images of America (Arcadia Publishing) | Publication Date: October 15, 2007

The history of Washington Heights, Inwood, and Marble Hill is interesting not only because the communities played a major role in the American Revolution but because of their cultural and educational institutions and residents whose culture and ethnicity have contributed to the well-being of the area. These communities have always been a haven for immigrants who have come here to live and work since the pre-Columbian era. Native Americans came to trade goods, Jewish refugees came during the 1930s to flee the tyranny of the Nazis, and since the end of World War II there has been an influx of the Latino community. The area is also noted for its dolomitic Inwood marble, which has been quarried for government buildings in New York City and some of the federal buildings in Washington, D.C. Through vintage images, Washington Heights, Inwood, and Marble Hill illustrates the transformation of this area over the decades.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

New York City native James Renner is a licensed tour guide and appointed historian of Community District 12. Renner is a member of numerous local organizations, including the Washington Heights-Inwood Historical Society, the Harlem Heights Historical Society, the Washington Heights Neighborhood Association, and the Washington Heights Business Improvement District Management Association.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing (October 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738554782
• ISBN-13: 978-0738554785
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #997,087 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Confusing mess, May 13, 2010

By 

NY History Buff "Anthony" (Upper Manhattan USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Washington Heights, Inwood, and Marble Hill (NY) (Images of America) (Paperback)

As a 'history buff' I was initially pleased when I received this book as a gift. But as I went through the book I was incredibly surprised at the poor quality of the this book. It is supposed to cover 3 neighborhoods in upper Manhattan and the book does have 3 sections. But the 2nd one is entirely devoted to the George Washington bridge! Last time I checked it is not a neighborhood. Inwood and Marble Hill are lumped together in 1 chapter. The quality of the photos selected for this book is terrible and oddly enough some of the worst ones are those of plaques and other stationary items, that still stand. They are out of focus and/or blurry. I have located better pictures while doing my own research, and I haven't been appointed "local historian" as this guy has! The sequence of photos do not seem to flow in any particular order and seem to jump here and there and back again. And the repetition of almost identical photos is mind-numbing! The captions and brief descriptions that accompany some of the photos is almost child-like in its writing style. He states the obvious such as pointing boats in one photo, which are clearly visible but does not identify other items that should be. In another instance he points out newly constructed apartment building then goes on to state the obvious that "they will be rented to neighborhood residents to live in". The book seems like something put together by a novice, like one of those home-grown recipe books sold to raise funds. Very dissappointing, especially that the publisher would allow something like this to go to print.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice book, but lacking, April 12, 2008

By 

E Camille "EC" (New York City) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Washington Heights, Inwood, and Marble Hill (NY) (Images of America) (Paperback)

I really like this book, but wanted to see more early 20th century photographs. In fact, each of these neighborhoods could have had their own books. But I feel that readers want to see photographs older than the 1960's.

5.0 out of 5 stars More photos please!, December 10, 2011

By 

Nelson Antonio Denis (New York City, NY) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Washington Heights, Inwood, and Marble Hill (NY) (Images of America) (Paperback)

As a native of Washington Heights, I know every street in this book. I loved the older photos (trolleys, horse-drawn carriages, farmlands, bowler hats, etc.) and was hoping to see more. Washington Heights is a great slice of under-documented Americana, and this book helps to fill that void. I enjoyed it, and certainly recommend it.