Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Taking Manhattan:
Business decisions made at cannon-point.
Quick synopsis:
The story of how New Amsterdam became New York.
Fact for Non-History People:
In 1673, during the Third Anglo-Dutch War, New York became New Orange when the Dutch retook it, but it was given up again in the treaty ending the war.
Fact for History Nerds:
New Amsterdam had about 2,500 people around the time it became New York.
My Take on Taking Manhattan:
I usually am wary of sequels to anything. If something is that good, just leave it alone! That said, there are obvious situations where even my skeptical brain realizes a follow up would be a home run. And yes, I am talking about books.
The Island at the Center of the World is a classic from 2004. Russell Shorto told the story of New Amsterdam before it became New York. It was detailed but accessible. Now, Shorto has gone ahead and told the story about what happened when the English showed up in Taking Manhattan. Spoiler, it became New York! Well, except for a super short little episode later on, but I digress. Shorto elaborates on all the details, agendas, but most importantly, the personalities that clashed when a few English boats showed up in what would become New York Harbor.
Shorto has a tone throughout the book which feels like a conversation. It felt like a guy sat down next to me at a bar and over a few beers he decided to tell me all about Richard Nicolls, Peter Stuyvesant, and a king or two. Don’t get me wrong, this work is scholarly, and the narrative is peppered with scholars weighing in especially when the historical record is silent on exactly what happened.
The gripes I had while reading was a few background stories carried on a bit longer than necessary. Specifically, Nicolls actions during the English Civil War dragged and the details weren’t needed to fully flesh out Nicolls. Shorto already did a good job explaining who he was and what drove him. I also think there are some extrapolations which other scholars may want to take issue with, but neither of these things should warn anyone away from the book. A great read.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and W. W. Norton and Company.)
Verdict:
Fantastic. Buy it here!
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