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Title: The Island at the Center of the World: The Epic Story of Dutch Manhattan and the Forgotten Colony that Shaped America
ISBN: 0385503490
Author:
Russell Shorto
Publicate Date: 2004-03-16
Publish: 2004-03-16
List Price: $29.95
Average Customer Rating: 4.0
Format: Hardcover
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $11.75
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $11.22
Amazon Merchant Price: $19.77
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| Customer Review: |
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1: If you can make it here you should read this book!
The Island at the Center of the World: The Epic Story of Dutch Manhattan and the Forgotten Colony that Shaped America
The real story of New York, the missing history of an American Colony. This fascinating book is loaded with hundreds of informing tidbits and references from how certain neighborhoods were developed, to the origins of names that are so familiar to us like Yonkers, The Bronx, Brooklyn, and so much more. We get incredibly detailed recitals of the stories of Styveusant, Minuet, Hudson and so many more. The author takes the wealth of information that resides in the records maintained by the Dutch, and had been ignored for hundreds of years and weaves a story detailing the birth of the diversity, tolerance and importance of the Island at the Center of the World. This book is another great example of memsmerizing history which somehow escapes the traditional school curriculum. It is a well rounded tale of the emergence of New York and the strong influence of the Dutch in that emergence.
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2: Another Window on the New World
There is no doubt that the victors write the histories and, as a consequence, the contributions of the Dutch settlement at New Amsterdam to the development of New York City as a world commercial hub, and of the United States as a haven for diverse oppressed and ambitious peoples of the world, is overlooked. This carefully researched and entertainly written book draws on recently re-discovered and translated records of the colony. It makes a compelling case that the multi-cultural and commercially centered settlement at New Amsterdam made at least as significant a contribution to the character of the nation that was later formed here as the English settlements in Massachusetts and Virginia. A great read for anyone who enjoys early American history.
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3: The Island of the center of the world: outstanding!
As a Dutchman married to an American national from New Jersey I have a special interest in the book that so wonderfully descibes the Dutch influence on the US. Written in very accesible and uplifting prose, Russell Shorto knows to captivate the reader and develops an atmosphere that almost makes you feel you were there.
In between the lines he surprises us with unknown facts about the Dutch influence, such as the word 'cookie' comes from the Dutch word 'koekie', the word 'boss' comes from the word 'baas' and so on.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in the Dutch and US history.
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4: The Dutch Roots of Liberty in America
Russell Short has done an amazing job of creating a compelling narrative from the recently translated historical documents of New Amsterdam (Manhatten, NYC) that shows what may be considered the true classical liberal roots of the American colonies.
Similar to Barbara Tuchman's book, THE FIRST SALUTE, ISLAND AT THE CENTER OF THE WORLD shows the reader the connection between personal liberty and uniquely American concepts that did not develop in Puritan American colonies or the failed Massachusetts Bay Colony. It also reminds the reader that The Netherland's own declaration of independence from Spain in the early 1500's was nearly identical to the 13 Colonies' own Declaration of Independence more than 200 years later. Shorto shows that when the British annexed New Amsterdam by force, the Dutch did not leave, they simply changed flags and brands but kept the core, cultural roots of liberty that made New York (and later, the United States) the melting pot of tolerance and classical liberal attitudes that many people around the world have historically associated with the USA.
The cities of Amsterdam and New York are currently working on a 400-year celebration of the Dutch-American connection. For those interested in the classical liberal history of Europe and America, these books are a must-read.
In addition to Russell Shorto's excellent work, I would also encourage buying a copy of Barbara Tuchman's excellent histical novel, The First Salute.First Salute
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5: Important but unknown history
This book gives a detailed view of one of the most fascinating periods of American history, when the Netherlands had established trading settlements on the East Coast of the United States from Chesapeake Bay to Albany. Of course, New Amsterdam was the most important. The detailed domestic history of that settlement and trading post is taken from previously unknown original documents from the administration and courts of the period. Readable, exciting and informative!
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