New York

The Novel

By: Edward Rutherfurd

Narrated by: Mark Bramhall

Length: 37 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

The best-selling master of historical fiction weaves a grand, sweeping drama of New York from the city's founding to the present day.

Rutherfurd celebrates America's greatest city in a rich, engrossing saga that showcases his extraordinary ability to combine impeccable historical research and storytelling flair. As in his earlier, best-selling novels, he illuminates cultural, social, and political upheavals through the lives of a remarkably diverse set of families.

As he recounts the intertwining fates of characters rich and poor, black and white, native born and immigrant, Rutherfurd brings to life the momentous events that shaped New York and America: the Revolutionary War, the emergence of the city as a great trading and financial center, the excesses of the Gilded Age, the explosion of immigration in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the trials of World War II, the near-demise of New York in the 1970s and its roaring rebirth in the '90s, and the attacks on the World Trade Center. Sprinkled throughout are captivating cameo appearances by historical figures ranging from George Washington to Abraham Lincoln to Babe Ruth.

New York is the book that millions of Rutherfurd's American fans have been waiting for. A brilliant mix of romance, war, family drama, and personal triumphs, it gloriously captures the search for freedom and prosperity at the heart of our nation's history.

©2009 Edward Rutherford (P)2009 Random House

Critic reviews

"Like James Michener and Leon Uris, Rutherfurd does a magnificent job of packaging a crackling good yarn within a digestible overview of complex historical circumstances and events." (Booklist)

"History has never been so fun to read.... Rutherfurd's research is exhaustive...fun.... This is history, but with a very readable story line." (USA Today)

Fun

Fun to read and a great way to learn history.

Great Book

For anyone who like history weaved in with fiction. Great read.

Great Story!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is a great book, taking the reader from 17th Century New York (Manhattan) through the early (very early) 21st Century in a narrative that engages the reader. The details are historically accurate and offer the lessor known fine points of historical New York. This is an enjoyable, leisurely read.

What other book might you compare New York to and why?

Hummm.....The first book that comes to mind is Diana Gabaldon's Highlander series.

Have you listened to any of Mark Bramhall’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the first Mark Bramhall performance, which was enjoyable. His pronunciation and timing make listening enjoyable.

If you could rename New York, what would you call it?

The New World

Novel Spans Generations

I picked this book because I love historical fiction based in America. I listened obsessively to the 1st 3/4 of the book, but found myself losing interest with the Master Family during the Civil War. Every generation is so out of touch with the struggles of the less fortunate, and maybe that's why I grew a little tired of them at this point in the book. Life was "hard" for them at points, but they always came out on top- always. With that said, this book does focus on the history of New York City from the view point of a prominent "Old Money" family and so this disconnect makes perfect sense. After a couple weeks off, I jumped back in and I'm so glad I did!

One of the best

I enjoyed every single minute of this book. It was perfect from the story to the reader. I am sad it is over. It’s one of those historical fictions that has you look events a people up. Therefor learning in a most delightful way. I love family sagas too and the characters were delightful. I highly recommend this one.

incredible ambitious novel

anazingly ambitious and a wonderful tour through the history of NY. the narration is THE best I have EVER heard and I listen to at least 2 books a week.

long book but easy to finish.

This book follows a few different families through many generations from the early days of the Dutch settlements to modern day and 9/11. The pace was slow at times but I was able to finish it.

Awesome Story

A wonderful tale. I was hooked from chapter one and never let go! The characters were very engrossing and I actually became fired up at few points during the narrative. Good drama. Very good.

Brilliant!!

Love this book in print, and truly enjoyed listening to it. Great narrater!! Wonderful story.

Edward Rutherford is amazing

I enjoy Edward Rutherford's books immensely! The amazing thing is how he weaves the historical facts of an area into a saga that is easy to follow. I chose this book because my Dutch ancestors did come into New York in the 1600's. I could easily imagine them in the middle of the story!
Linda