The World's Greatest Cities: The History of New York City

De: Charles River Editors

Narrado por: Cira Larkin

Of all the great cities in the world, few personify their country like New York City. As America's largest city and best known immigration gateway into the country, NYC represents the beauty, diversity and sheer strength of the United States, a global financial center that has enticed people chasing the "American Dream" for centuries.

America's prototypical metropolis was once a serene landscape in which Native American tribes farmed and fished, but when European settlers arrived its location on the Eastern seaboard sparked a rapid transformation. Given its history of rapid change, it is ironic that the city's inhabitants often complain about the city's changing and yearn for things to stay the same.

The World's Greatest Cities: The History of New York City chronicles the history of America's largest city while also offering vignettes about the people, places, and culture of the Big Apple that will interest inhabitants and tourists alike.

©2012 Charles River Editors (P)2015 Charles River Editors

What you would expect for being brief (1 hour)

Very surface level overview. Voice sounded computer generated. Not bad for the $6 though. Covers ~1600s to present.

Super!

Excellent book for the price and length! It gives an overview, followed by a sequential detailing of a multitude of interrelated subjects. Some stuff is old news, some tidbits are obscure or arcane lore. Most amusing to me was the section noting how various neighborhoods were turned from slum to posh. I totally enjoyed it!
I got the audio on sale, and Cira Larkin was an inspired choice for narrator. It became readily apparent that she truly enjoyed her work.

Decent Content, Robotic Narration

Is there anything you would change about this book?

What is with the Ayn Rand references? I can't think of anyone less emblematic of New York City ever. The Narrator has an incredibly robotic delivery and an obviously midwestern accent. How on earth is this appropriate for New York. Huge miss here.

What did you like best about this story?

Relatively good content, information dense and doesn't belabor he point. You'l get a good feel for New York's history from this.

Would you be willing to try another one of Cira Larkin’s performances?

No.

Could you see The World's Greatest Cities: The History of New York City being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No.