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One of my themes for this year is New York and pursuant thereto I recently finished The Island at the Center of the World, by Russell Shorto. His thesis is that Dutch influence determined the course of New York and ultimately the United States. The earlier part about the political infighting in New Amsterdam is fascinating; he's somewhat less penetrating about geopolitics at the time of the English takeover. Still a provocative and entertaining read.
Currently, I'm reading Low Life, by Luc Sante, subtitled "Lures and Snares of Old New York," about entertainment and culture of the poorest areas in the 19th century until the Great War. Fascinating; I just wish it were available as an ebook as the type face is hard on my eyes.
I'm also listening to The Power Broker, Robert Caro's magisterial biography of Robert Moses, the man who shaped modern New York. So far, it's every bit as good as its reputation, which is saying a lot. At over a thousand pages, this will be a long listen.
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