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 …
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.
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!
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.
Review of 'The Island at the Center of the World' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
I really enjoyed this book. It covers the time the Dutch owned/ran/lived in Manhattan. How they got there and what influence they had on America is full of fascinating details uncovered only because some documents managed to survive around 350 years to reveal their secrets slowly, but surely. The information is apparently changing the way historians look at the birth of America. They are moving from the pure British tale to an awareness that the Dutch can be credited with some of the actual laws in New York - laws that respect the idea of representative government.
We often think of the past as slow, but some of the people in this story seemed to be dashing back and forth across the Atlantic several times. Amsterdam at this time was apparently quite tolerant and open, and that concept was brought to the new world, making New Netherlands like no other …
I really enjoyed this book. It covers the time the Dutch owned/ran/lived in Manhattan. How they got there and what influence they had on America is full of fascinating details uncovered only because some documents managed to survive around 350 years to reveal their secrets slowly, but surely. The information is apparently changing the way historians look at the birth of America. They are moving from the pure British tale to an awareness that the Dutch can be credited with some of the actual laws in New York - laws that respect the idea of representative government.
We often think of the past as slow, but some of the people in this story seemed to be dashing back and forth across the Atlantic several times. Amsterdam at this time was apparently quite tolerant and open, and that concept was brought to the new world, making New Netherlands like no other colony in America.
The storyline is spiced up with anecdotes about the origin of coleslaw, cookies, and other things we think are purely American.
The author seems to be quite objective and states when there is doubt about some detail and how research is still ongoing.
I don't know that much detail myself about this time in history, so I cannot know if there are any errors. However, the language was quite objective with phrases like "apparently" or "it seems" and other indications that something might lack strength of evidence.
This was written only a few years after 9/11, and for a short time, I thought it might get a bit schmalzy about that and let that cloud the story. That was not the case. Yes, the tolerance in those early days was pointed out, but that was also something amazing at that time and it helped to shape the colony. Therefore, it was perfectly reasonable to go into detail about it.
If you like history, I think you will enjoy this one.
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.
