The Island at the Center of the World

The Epic Story of Dutch Manhattan and the Forgotten Colony That Shaped America

by Russell Shorto, Russell Shorto

Paperback, 416 pages

English language

Published April 26, 2005 by Vintage.

ISBN:: 978-1-4000-7867-7
OCLC Number:: 59716812

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(9 reviews)

When the British wrested New Amsterdam from the Dutch in 1664, the truth about its thriving, polyglot society began to disappear into myths about an island purchased for 24 dollars and a cartoonish peg-legged governor. But the story of the Dutch colony of New Netherland was merely lost, not destroyed: 12,000 pages of its records–recently declared a national treasure–are now being translated. Drawing on this remarkable archive, Russell Shorto has created a gripping narrative–a story of global sweep centered on a wilderness called Manhattan–that transforms our understanding of early America.

The Dutch colony pre-dated the “original” thirteen colonies, yet it seems strikingly familiar. Its capital was cosmopolitan and multi-ethnic, and its citizens valued free trade, individual rights, and religious freedom. Their champion was a progressive, young lawyer named Adriaen van der Donck, who emerges in these pages as a forgotten American patriot and whose political vision brought him into conflict with Peter Stuyvesant, the autocratic director of the Dutch colony. The struggle between these two strong-willed men laid the foundation for New York City and helped shape American culture. The Island at the Center of the World uncovers a lost world and offers a surprising new perspective on our own.

2 editions

xylogx reviewed The Island at the Center of the World by Russell Shorto

Great Narrative Non-fiction With a Surprising Recasting of Historical Events

5 stars

This book was great! A fresh, fascinating perspective on history told with an engaging narrative non-fiction style. Gripping and informative and makes you rethink how you view the world. The Dutch influence on the evolution of New York and consequently the United States and the rest of the world comes out in stark color as this tale unfolds. While the English tried to erase the Dutch contributions over the subsequent years of running the colony, the discovery of the corporate archives of the Dutch West India Company, the VOC, in the Netherlands has uncovered many events and stories which have not been told. The English aimed to take New Amsterdam whole in order to preserve the unique profit making machinery that resulted from the unique mix of culture, people and beliefs. They succeeded in this beyond any reasonable expectation and were able to transition the existing New Amsterdam in a prosperous and influential New York. This meant that the Dutch influence and existing Dutch and other international colonists stayed in place. It was their influence of religious toleration, intellectual rationality and pragmatic capitalism that was to shape New York, The USA and the world. Filled with colorful characters who lead fascinating lives, the telling of this astonishing story entertains as well as informs. Peter Stuyvesant and Adriaen Van Der Donk are two noteable characters who jump off the page, grab your imagination by the shirt-collar and demand your attention. Good stuff!!!

Larry reviewed The Island at the Center of the World by Russell Shorto

Review of 'The Island at the Center of the World: The Epic Story of Dutch Manhattan and the Forgotten Colony That Shaped America'

4 stars

Wonderful telling of the little-known history of New Amsterdam (the precursor to New York City). It's very interesting to see how the (fairly disorganized) city tried to maintain relations with the various British colonies on the east coast, as well as their interctions with the native populations. For people familiar with NYC, this book is a great source for the Dutch origins of many of the neighborhood names that are still in use!

Mark Anderson reviewed The Island at the Center of the World by Russell Shorto

Review of 'The Island at the Center of the World: The Epic Story of Dutch Manhattan and the Forgotten Colony That Shaped America' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Really enjoyed this book. Presents new research that provides a fresh perspective on Manhattan and it's part in the American psyche and story. There are passages that are painted so vividly that it becomes a page turner. Shorto does a great job of bringing history alive by focusing on a few dynamic personalities, who spring out of the Dutch translations like fully formed characters in a Shakespearean play.

AliCorbin reviewed The Island at the Center of the World by Russell Shorto

Review of 'The Island at the Center of the World: The Epic Story of Dutch Manhattan and the Forgotten Colony That Shaped America' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Bet you didn't know that everything good about American culture (religious tolerance, multi-culturalism, front stoops and cookies) came to use from the Dutch by way of New Amsterdam. Well, now you do.

The book was generally well liked, with quibbles for the weasally language (he must have seen...) for the details that there's no evidence for, and for the suspicion that he started with his premise and then looked for evidence to support it. All agreed that he has a good writing style.