New York City: A Short History

From its origins as a primitive Dutch outpost to the sprawling urban complex it is today, the defining characteristic of New York has been constant, dramatic, and rapid change.Formerly published as An American Metropolis, this new edition features a new preface in which Lankevich discusses the impact of the events of September 11 on the city, as well as an updated final chapter on the Giuliani administration. By understanding the history of New York, we obtain a vital sense of what America was, is, and can become.

Author Biography: George Lankevich is Professor Emeritus at the Bronx Community College, CUNY. He has written more than thirty books and contributed essays to the Encyclopedia of New York City and the Encyclopedia Britannica. His most recent works are Postcards from Times Square and Postcards from Manhattan.