Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: City of Dreams: A Novel of Nieuw Amsterdam and Early Manhattan by Beverly Swerling, Gabrielle De Cuir ISBN: 1-57453-499-8 Publisher: Audio Literature Pub. Date: 09 November, 2001 Format: Audio Cassette Volumes: 6 List Price(USD): $32.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.32 (37 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: A Riveting Epic Novel Of Historical Manhattan. Superb!!
Comment: "City Of Dreams" provides an extremely rich slice of Manhattan history along with an intricately plotted novel filled with unforgettable characters. I couldn't put this book down!
English barber surgeon Lucas Turner and his apothecary sister, Sally, land in mid-17th century Nieuw Amsterdam after a grueling sea voyage from the Netherlands. The two are devoted to each other, having escaped from a life of squalor and poverty to make their way in the New World. They are aided by Governor Peter Stuyvesant after Lucas performs a successful surgery on him to remove a kidney stone. The future seems filled with promise until a terrible betrayal causes a rift between the siblings that will impact generations to come.
In a series of eight segments, author Beverly Swerling unfolds the lives of the original Turners and their descendants, as Nieuw Amsterdam becomes the city of New York and finally the first capital of the United States of America. This absorbing multi-generational saga continues through the Revolutionary War providing detailed and accurate historical background as well as an extraordinary storyline and subplots. Patriot Nathan Hale, British Generals Clinton and Howe, and colonial General George Washington are some of the characters who interact with Ms. Swerling's fictional cast.
The history of the beginnings of medical science are absolutely fascinating. A number of medical interventions, all performed without the use of anesthesia, are vividly described, including tracheotomies, amputations, a radical mastectomy, and the removal of kidney stones.
As an added attraction the dust jacket is illustrated with a wonderful view of early Manhattan taken from a copper engraving. The inside end papers show beautiful aerial illustrations of the city in its early days. There is also a family tree at the beginning of the book, although I was easily able to follow the plot without using it for reference. I highly recommend this absorbing and informative novel.
JANA
Rating: 5
Summary: A Gripping Read & Important History of Downtown New York
Comment: This lush, intricately woven novel is truly arresting on several levels, the first being perhaps the most important: it's a darn great read, and a page turner to boot. I loved it.
Given the fast pace and many exciting events, you'll find it hard to put down. However, as you won't be able to digest it in one sitting, you'll have time to absorb and appreciate the fascinating cast of characters the author assembles. You can reflect on their motivations, desires and next moves in a way that's truly rewarding.
The scenes in the book (particularly the medical scenes) are blunt and, at times, shocking in their depictions of early American life. (You won't easily forget the kidney stone scene at the beginning! Gory!)
Don't be put off, though. There's a real thread of humanity and compassion at work here; the themes of healing and medicine that frame the book reinforce this impression and ground the author's project in the context of the larger struggle that each of us faces: our own fragility as human beings.
This essential humanity defines nearly all of the characters in some way and thus provides the true basis of a well-told tale; we can connect with these people. They live and breathe for us.
Unlike most fiction of this genre, the characters here are not drawn into simple absolutes of good and evil; each character's thoughts, feelings and actions reflect real human complexity. Nevertheless they are all (thankfully) people of action, and it is this action that makes the unfolding drama so appealing. There are sexy bits, there are touching bits, there are exciting bits, and intellectual food for thought as well. These colonial types obviously didn't have time to sit around hemming and hawing -- like all New Yorkers, they were busy!
The amount of well-researched history, both medical and colonial, that anchors this story is also phenomenally impressive. The author provides an essential history "primer" of lower Manhattan, as well as interesting but more trivial tidbits about daily life and common mores of the time. The background is varied, expansive, and vibrant; complex historical information is presented in a clear and easily understandable way without being watered down.
The clash of cultures (Dutch, Slave, English, American Indian, Jewish, etc) is very compelling, and the focus on NYC as a cradle of the American Dream seems right on target. By turning this history into a tangible, fictional narrative, Swerling makes it jump alive for the reader. We relate.
Finally, it's worth noting that given the recent tragic events in New York, the timing of this book is an eerie coincidence: the epic is really all about lower Manhattan and the people who lived there, worked there, died there and ultimately helped to shape the city we know today.
Although completely fictional, the book therefore provides an unfortunately relevant look at the history of the small geographical area that the world's attention has been focused on since the attacks.
Perhaps in some way, then, by giving life and context to the rich and dramatic saga of lower Manhattan, this exceptional book can somehow serve as an unintended tribute to lost souls. Perhaps we can take its core as a reminder of the freedoms America's forefathers fought for in the first place, and a view of New York as the rightful and unassailable bastion of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
At the very least, it's nice to think so.
Rating: 5
Summary: Ex cellent Historical Value
Comment: This is a well-researched book that is filled with excellent historical value and factual information. Swerling recreates the time periods with fluid blends, giving our imaginations a peek at what life was like during the generations that span the novel.
From the beginning, one is amazed at the details that embrace the story, families trying to gain control, however they can, no detail is spared in conveying the situations. From brother and sister, who have close familial ties, to separations within families, each side feeling they are correct in their anger and beliefs, each side coming out somewhat the loser for their hatred...Swerling leads us through the bitter streets of Amsterdam.
The novel swells with culture, both religious and lifestyle...we are shown the various dwellers that inhabit the Island, and how each one must try to come to terms with the ethnic environments that surround them.
I give Swerling and her endeavor five stars!
 |
Title: The Resurrectionists: A Novel by Michael Collins ISBN: B0000C7BNC Publisher: Scribner Pub. Date: October, 2002 List Price(USD): $24.00 |
 |
Title: Henderson's Spear: A Novel by Ronald Wright ISBN: B0000C7BNF Publisher: Henry Holt & Company, Inc. Pub. Date: 05 March, 2002 List Price(USD): $25.00 |
 |
Title: Red Water : A Novel by Judith Freeman ISBN: 0385720696 Publisher: Anchor Pub. Date: 08 April, 2003 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
 |
Title: Shadowbrook : A Novel of Love, War, and the Birth of America by Beverly Swerling ISBN: 074322812X Publisher: Simon & Schuster Pub. Date: 09 March, 2004 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
 |
Title: High Water: A Novel by Lynn Hightower ISBN: B0000C7BMU Publisher: Henry Holt & Company, Inc. Pub. Date: 02 July, 2002 List Price(USD): $25.00 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
