The vibrant story of America’s great metropolis, told through 101 distinctive objects that span the history of New York, all reproduced in luscious, full color.
A wooden water barrel and an elevator brake. A Checker taxicab and a conductor’s baton. An oyster and a mastodon tusk. Inspired by A History of the World in 100 Objects , The New York Times� Sam Roberts chose fifty objects that embody the narrative of New York for a feature article in the paper. Many more suggestions came from readers, and so Roberts has expanded the list to 101. Here are just a few of what this keepsake volume
· The Flushing Remonstrance, a 1657 petition for religious freedom that was a precursor to the First Amendment to the Constitution. · Beads from the African Burial Ground, 1700s. Slavery was legal in New York until 1827, although many free blacks lived in the city. The African Burial Ground closed in 1792 and was only recently rediscovered. · The bagel, early 1900s. The quintessential and undisputed New York food (excepting perhaps the pizza). · The Automat vending machine, 1912. Put a nickel in the slot and get a cup of coffee or a piece of pie. It was the early twentieth century version of fast food. · The “I Love NY� logo designed by Milton Glaser in 1977 for a campaign to increase tourism. Along with Saul Steinberg’s famous New Yorker cover depicting a New Yorker’s view of the world, it was perhaps the most famous and most frequently reproduced graphic symbol of the time.
Unique, sometimes whimsical, always important, A History of New York in 101 Objects is a beautiful chronicle of the remarkable history of the Big Apple that will enrich your mind and rekindle memories.
When I was a girl growing up along the Niagara River, I was fascinated by the depiction of New York City I saw in old movies. New York was exciting, vital--the hub of the world. In 1964 or 65 my friend went to the World Fair and I envied her. I did not get to New York City until my husband took a position in Philadelphia; later he worked in New York on Riverside Drive!
Our first visits we took the train, bringing a bag lunch to eat in Central Park. We went to the Empire State Building and saw the Statue of Liberty. We ate in China Town. We saw Yentl off Broadway, The Fantasticks, and the New York City Opera. I'll never forget The Pearl Fishers! We walked through the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Musem of Modern Art, the Cooper-Hewitt Museum, and I visited the Guggenheim. I shopped at Macy's, thinking of Miracle on 34th Street.
Reading Roberts' book is delightful. His mini history lessons revolve around an artifact that illuminates the city's history, but also the history of our nation.
He begins with the very rock layer that made possible the construction of Manhattan skyscrapers and ends with a Madonna statue that survived Hurricane Sandy and a fire, "a symbol of what we've been through, but also of our resurrection."
In between we read about inventions that altered life--the sewing machine, the Otis safety brake, Levittown homes. There is tragedy--the Triangle factory fire monument, which Francis Perkins called "the day the New Deal Begin," and a jar of dust from 9-11.
The arts are represented: A stamp commemorating the iconoclastic Armory Show, Leonard Bernstein's baton, the skeleton of the King Kong movie figure, the mask from The Phantom of the Opera. And of course New York's food history: An oyster, the bagel, jello, the black and white cookie, and the Horn and Hardart Automat.
Roberts' admits to being subjective in his choices. Each object had to be emblematic of historic transformation, and of enduring relevance. He writes, "history, after all, isn't really about the past. Our history is about who we are right now and where, as a society, we're headed."
I connected with many of these objects. I grew up at the end of the Erie Canal and Levittown type houses were built around me at my birth. When I saw parts of King Kong at a friend's house it terrified me. Oh, the bagels! We can't get anything like them in the Midwest. Other objects I have heard about, and some are new to me. I have been enjoying learning about them all.
For former New Yorkers like myself that desperately clutch to the memories of this magical city, "A History of New York in 101 Objects" is not only a portal back home, but a lesson in history of the city that I never received. Based on a smaller version of this list in piece that Roberts wrote for the New York Times, "101 Objects" moves seamlessly from the Fordham Gneiss of 1.2 billion years ago to Hurricane Sandy.
Each short chapter takes on an object that has been an integral part in the formation of the history and culture(s) of New York City. A couple of my favorite are: the black and white cookie -- one of my father's favorites; and the subway token, which was long ago replaced by Metro cards. Because the objects are richly described in a matter of 2-3 pages, it's an easy book to pick up and put down, but also a great coffee table addition and gift.
I would love to see this concept expanded to other cities, but for now, I am so happy that I can bring myself back to the city whenever I want just by opening this book.
300 years of nyc history crammed into 300 pages, left me wanting to know more. The 101 object gimmick was pretty hokey and unnecessary, but I learned a lot and interested in learning more
I received this book through a Good Reads "First Reads" Give-away. Essentially, the book is a number (101 to be exact) of 2 to 3 page essays that describe a certain object that evokes something quintessentially "New York", and then puts that object into its historical and cultural context. It is a lively, entertaining read - perfect to pick up when you only have five minutes here, three minutes there. (I read a lot of this book during the inevitable television commercials and "down" times during a couple of baseball playoff games.) I am in all likelihood stating the obvious but I suspect readers will find this book much more riveting if they (or their parents/grandparents/etc.) are from New York City - otherwise reading 101 two or three pagers on topics such as the Cross Bronx Expressway or the little button the Metropolitan Museum of Art used to give its visitors may make one's eyes start to glaze over. But if you live/lived in or are fascinated by the Big Apple, a fun, enjoyable read.
Full disclosure - I love New York but have become somewhat jaded on recent visits. The crumbling infrastructure requiring 24/7 construction blocks movement both vehicular and pedestrian (I know this is not only NY but everywhere, but seems more concentrated there), and the human congestion is worse than ever. But I love reading about that city, from across the country, safely. Patterned after Neil MacGregor's A History of the World in 100 Objects, Roberts uses his choices as jumping off points for essays on the City and its development. For instance, a chapter titled "To City Signs" about directions in the subway leads to a discourse on the Manhattan-centric attitude prevalent among "Outer Boroughs," despite disparity in populations. Granted, Mr. Roberts admits his list is subjective, and he gives almost as much attention to the black and white cookie as to a jar of dust from the fallen Towers. Some entries are both hilarious and informative (i.e., Pooper Scooper). Although I read it through, this book can be experienced in nips, and I intend to return to enjoy the City. From afar.
101 vignettes about New York's history, based on a list of famous "objects" across history. This aims to be more entertaining and fun than deep history, but you do pick up a fair bit of history along the way. As a new New Yorker there was a lot for me to learn here. There were times where I wanted more depth, and other times where I skimmed an entry since I wanted less, but at 2-3 pages per object, whatever I felt never lasted long, as I moved onto the next entry. This was a fun entry point to learning more about New York specific history, some of which is covered in national history, but much of which got skipped in my school (and many of the books I've read since).
There were a fair number of personal opinions on various politicians, policies, and events from the author that were thrown in, frequently reminding you that this is far from an (attempted) unbiased view of history, but that fit in with the casual tone. I need to go back and read more about a lot of the events mentioned here, since I wasn't always convinced by the author's take on them.
The history of early New York is the history of the early United States, and this remarkable book is full of the vivid and surprising stories of remarkable objects, and sometimes unremarkable objects, that turn out to illuminate massive historical repercussions. What it does poorly, though, is paint an egalitarian picture of latter-20th century NYC, filled as the final quarter or so is with breathless stories about the successes of broken-window policing, NYPD stop-and-frisk policy, the War on Drugs, and Giuliani's bleach-clean disinfection of Times Square. The chapters on graffiti and the "Saturday Night Special" in particular are frankly embarrassing.
A History of New York in 101 Objects is a great coffee table book, but not one that I would sit down and read cover to cover. The history lessons are interesting, but some of the objects do not have as much weight as others. The facts and tidbits of history are enough to give me trivia street cred, but there is not enough meat overall.
A History of New York in 101 Objects is a fun read and could be ideal for readers who like historical trivia.
Disclaimer: I won a copy of A History of New York in 101 Objects through a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Giveaway. The decision to read and review this book was entirely my own.
A piecemeal introduction to the history of NYC, based on the popular anthropological conceit that a sample size of cultural souvenirs can constitute an evolutionary timeline. Carefully selected and sufficiently revelatory as the souvenirs are, let the quibbles begin! Where's the high-heeled shoe of a leggy Rockette? A first edition of The Great Gatsby? A petrified motzah ball from the improbably shut down Carnegie Deli?
I actually found this easier to read when I couldn't go out into the city and look for the things mentioned. The entries are short and informative enough, and though I fundamentally disagree with some of them, that's half the fun (how do you not include a Pride flag, hellooo?) I enjoyed the short snippets of history, but did miss having a larger non-white, non-male context.
Sam Roberts lovingly shares 101 objects that symbolize New York City's history with a photo of the object and a short essay for each. My personal favorites are stories about the bagel, the black-and-white cookie, I Love New York, the Phantom's mask, the Levittown house, and baseball. I don't think I realized how influential New York City has been on the country as a whole.
Loved this creative rendering of New York City history -- these tidbits really bring to life so many wonderful details of our past. Definitely recommend to any New Yorker interested in learning more about our city.
As the author says this is _a_ history of New York. But honestly, it didn't feel like a very interesting one. Some of the descriptions were interesting many weren't. My biggest problem was that many descriptions were only vaguely related to the items.
A great historical overview of one of the world's many vibrant hearts, comparable to Bill Bryson's Made in America (that we loved so much!). The tone is quite neutral but entertaining, boredom is out of the question, and there's a valuable balance between anecdotes and historical facts.
Curiously interesting read for anyone who wants to learn about everyday objects they use (regularly in nyc) without thinking twice. Well these items are iconic and contain so much history and context. I read this book in two sittings!
I read this at a leisurely pace, but did enjoy it. I always like Sam Roberts’s writing about New York. No New Yorker is going to agree with all of the selections, but I learned something from almost every one.
I listened to, and enjoyed, the BBC’s “A History of the World in 100 Objects� series as a podcast, so when I saw this book, I was intrigued to see what objects would be chosen to tell the history of New York City. I should probably also disclose that I grew up in the far distant reaches of “upstate� Western New York, and as such have a natural bias against New York City. However, I do recognize the importance of the City in the history of the United States (and the world, for that matter).
To begin with, the task this book attempts to take on is formidable. New York has a long and complicated history, and trying to do it justice using just 101 objects is, perhaps, an impossible task. That said, this book does a pretty good job at showing how the city grew, changed, evolved, and became the place it is today. Reaching back into prehistory, the book begins with geology, and then quickly moves through the colonial period, helping to show the influence of the original Dutch settlers and the transition to British rule. We are shown how the city became a major port and industrial center, home to finance and banking, theater, fashion, and much more. The stories of the object here are also the stories of New York’s colorful cast of characters: politicians, businessmen, artists, and more. We glimpse the city’s triumphs as well its greatest tragedies.
By the author’s own admission, there is much that was omitted (by necessity). But for someone who wants a general overview of the history of one of America’s greatest cities, wonderfully illustrated and easy-to-read, then this book is quite possibly the book they should read.
A HISTORY OF NEW YORK IN 101 OBJECTS is the delightful kind of book that is handy to have if you need to fill in the spare moments of your life. This is a history of New York City as told through the writing of a guy who loves her. He uses items which to the outsider might feel like a random collection of things but which to Sam Roberts provide an incisive look into what made the Big Apple the great city it is. Be it oysters, burial beads, the Otis Safety Brake (thereby allowing high-rise buildings to reach for the sky), the quintessential stoop or baseball (you might have heard there have been a team or three in the area), Mr. Roberts writes 2 or 3 page homilies (with a photo) upon why these things have allowed N.Y., N.Y. to become what it is. You might not agree with his choices but you can argue about that while talking around the water cooler at work. He makes good arguments why these items are standouts. If your opinion differs, make your own list. While this book should resonate more with natives of that fair city, any one can enjoy it. I won this book through Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ.
I received this book for free via Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ First Reads, and I took the time to savor it once it arrived. This is a gorgeous book, which traces the history of New York using objects/items of significance to the city and its origins. As a non-New-Yorker, I suspect that the book would make stronger connections with folks who recognize some of the objects because of their own experience in the city. But even as an outsider, it was delightful to be introduced to such a concrete and visceral timeline of one of the world's most famous and history-rich cities. The book is beautifully presented, with short bursts of text about each object, no more than a page or two at most. If you're looking for in-depth history, this won't be the book for you. Instead, it's history through touchstones, the key points of a city's long life. Recommended for anyone who loves history packaged in an artistic and representative way.
Disclaimer: I received this book as a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ giveaway.
This is an interesting book full of bite-sized chunks of history. It makes a great coffee table book - large and hard-bound with colorful photos, each chapter can be ready in a few minutes.
I learned a lot of random tidbits throughout the book and generally found it pretty interesting. It also makes for a great "on the side" book - something to read whenever you don't have the time/attention span to read an entire chapter of your current book (I'm one of those people who CANNOT stop mid-chapter). It's a nice light read (in brain power required - the book is not short).
I wasn't a fan of the jokes thrown in here and there... they came off as awkward and ill-placed. I also found that it was assumed that the reader would know more New York history than is really common knowledge, though it wasn't very often.
Overall, I enjoyed it. I think it would make a good gift as well.
I have always been interested in local history, but not necessarily told in long narratives. This book tells the story of New York along with beautiful full color photographs of the objects telling the story ( with the exception of one object no one knows the location of !) I learned so much, looked up more info plenty of times, and made a list of places I want to visit after getting reading them.
In the epilogue, there is notes on how some objects were voted on but not included, and you are invited to suggest your own. It seems likely that there will be a volume 2. I look forward to reading that if it does come to fruition.
This book can be read all at once, skipped around, or an object a day. No matter how, a throughly entertaining read, for New York lovers everywhere.
I received a free copy of this book through Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ First Reads.
I received A History of New York in 101 Objects as part of a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ giveaway.
Sam Roberts explores 101 pieces of material culture that embody New York in all its rich cultural glory. From an ancient mastodon tusk found in Queens to the contract that "sold" Manhattan to the Dutch (Native Americans might have something to say about how voluntary this was) to a jar of dust from 9/11. Each entry is brief, 2-3 pages, and usually accompanied by a photograph or two.
I have my master's degree in Museum Studies and currently work in a museum, so I love public history, artifacts, and basically everything this book is about. Unsurprisingly, it was a big hit. The brief chapters are perfect for quick reads, the pictures fascinating (I only wish there were more), and the curation of selected objects is great. A perfect gift for a history buff or lover of NYC.
*Full Disclosure: I won a copy of this book in a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ ARC Giveaway.*
Although I was born and raised in California, both sides of my family are from New York and many of my relatives still live there. I love the city and this beautiful book is a great way to learn more about it and celebrate it. This will certainly remain a staple of my coffee table collection and I expect many of my visiting family members will love flipping through it.
I do have to echo other reviewers in noting that if you don't know a lot about New York and have never been there, this may not be the most approachable book for you. But the objects and photos are lovely either way!
At first, the reader will be disappointed because the items you except to be in the book are not. However, the book wins you over fairly quickly with the things they include, starting from the creation of New York to present, which tells the history of a ever changing city in a ever changing world. A mini history of NY is really the history of the world. Some objects are very subjective to the author while others are common sense objects to be included. It was a fun read and will be a great coffee book table.
The British Museum started this trend with "History of the World." Here now is NYC in 101 objects that exist mainly in the New York Historical Society. It's a fun pick-up/put-down book. But really the "crime scene of Henry Hudson's death (murder?) of 1609" is not really an object.
And Levittown is not really in New York -- although it's growth lead to thousands of New Yorkers leaving the city. Black & White cookies...maybe...
For you friends who like New York, buy a copy...then you can argue over what belongs and what doesn't.