On the night of October 18, 1925, fire raged through the downtown area of the tiny Catskill Mountain village of Gilboa, New York. In the end, 18 buildings lie in smoldering ruins. Yet it was not the end of the town, but only a climax to a series of events that were razing the community more slowly. Gilboa was in the way of the Schoharie Reservoir, one of numerous artifical lakes collecting water for thirsty New Yorkers. In Gilboa, author Alexander Thomas traces the evolving dynamics between New York City and its hinterlands and is a must read for those interested in urban and rural issues, social conflict, social movements, and New York state history.