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)

Wonderful

I loved the story itself, and also the performance of the narrator Mark Bramhall as an audiobook.

I've read several of Edward Rutherford's other books and have to say that this is one of my favorites so far. As someone who loves genealogy and have a slew of early New England settlers in my family tree, I enjoyed the story on a personal level as well, and imagine my ancestors had some similar experiences to those in the story.

The book does spend a lot of time about midway concentrating on the Revolutionary War and the characters at that time, but I feel that is justified as relevant to New York's history.

I read other reviews of this novel prior to purchasing and agree on some of the points, it does get a bit "duller" after the revolutionary part - however I think that is inevitable, and felt like everything after that did a good job leading to the end of the book and the intersection of the different families. After following the different families though time, the end of the story had me captivated with what would happen to them with 9/11.

I liked the wampum belt connecting the main family throughout time, it did make me a bit sad through that the family never knew or understood it's significance. I was hoping that the message in the belt would come to light by the present day but it never did. However, I feel that is pretty true to how it would be in real life, as someone who works on genealogy, many people have little knowledge of their family's history beyond grandparents or maybe great-grandparents.

I have recommended this book/audiobook to friends and family. I will likely listen to it again myself at some point!

An elegant history...

Embellished stories of true history. Beautifully written, as always. Read by a skilled and heartfelt guide who draws you into a visual realm of real life. Nevermind about the length, the experience flies by until the end when you may shed a tear saying goodbye to your intimate friends.

Couldn't Stop Listening

Great history lesson! Narrator was super. Characters blended with history of the area like they were really there. All in all, a great book

The Best

Fabulous, listening to history of a city that is key to the United States not only was the narration spot on, but I have learned many key details of a glorious glorious city

Stunning historical narrative..,

Ad told through the lives of centuries of NY families. The relatively short history of NYC is dynamically captured through the eyes of generations. Nothing boring or tiresome about this book- it is magnificent.

A terrific saga!

This novel held my interest chapter after chapter as it traced the history of New York from the time the area was a forested wilderness to the 21st century.
Following the lives of a few diverse families, Rutherford skillfully wove his characters into the rich tapestry of America's largest city as the country grew.
We follow these families from the founding of the city to the gilded age...Listen as they struggle, succeed, grow and learn through two world wars, the depression, the greedy 80s to the heroic and horrific events of 9/11.
This book is an epic, performed perfectly by Mark Bramhall. Highly recommended!

Loved this book

My husband and I took many weeks from our choirs to sit back and get through this lengthy narration, story, NY history etc. but loved it so much and @ times we didn't want to walk away! 5 stars for the narrator too!!

Great story, well read

I alert set much about New York City from just listening to this book. I would recommend it for anyone. Very enjoyable.

I LOVE NEW YORK CITY AND LOVED THIS BOOK

I couldn’t stop listening. Learned so much about NY history, Brilliantly written, Loved how he interconnected the characters throughout the years.

Superb Journey into New York's History

Wonderful blend of history and story telling that will appeal to a broad swath of the population.