Gotham

This book is an epic narrative that covers the vast and varied history of New York City, from the Indian tribes that settled in and around the island of Manna-hata to the consolidation of the five boroughs into Greater New York in 1898.

It includes detailed accounts of the early years of New Amsterdam, the Revolutionary War, the growth of the city as a port and financial center, and the impact of significant events such as the Erie Canal, the coming of the railroads, and the Civil War draft riots.

The book also features a cast of thousands, including notable figures like Jacob Leisler, Joanna Bethune, Herman Melville, Walt Whitman, and many others who left their mark on the city.

Despite its exhaustive detail, the book is praised for its well-written and engaging narrative, although some critics note its lack of a guiding organizational principle and authorial personality.