This charming account of Manhattan's history extends from the arrival of Dutch colonists in the early 1600s through the late nineteenth century. Intriguing details, dozens of illustrations and maps, and historian Thomas A. Janvier's wry sense of humor combine for a vivid portrait of the metropolis in its early years.
Sketches, diary excerpts, and scenes from daily life recapture some of the city's long-vanished features. Ranging all over the island, the survey explores the farms and waterways of Greenwich Village, the Battery's fortifications, and shacks, barns, and mansions of the Upper East and West sides. Thirteen maps chronicle the city's expansion, and etchings, line drawings, and other images depict Fort Amsterdam, Chelsea's gates and doorways, and other public and private buildings. Written in an engaging, easy-to-read style, this fascinating book will enchant history buffs, students of urban planning and architecture, and all lovers of New York stories.