The story of the wealthy Master family encompasses that of other New Yorkers descended from Dutch, African, German, Irish, Jewish, Italian, and Puerto Rican immigrants. Rutherfurd's heart clearly lies with the American effort to forge a more democratic society. The fictional Master family is divided, so both loyalist and patriot viewpoints are explored with perceptive sympathy, though without moral blinders. New York was under British rule during much of the War, its merchant families mostly loyal to the Crown.

What the Indians considered a gift made 'for the right to share their hunting grounds for a season or two,' the Europeans considered the price for 'buying the land in perpetuity.' Dirk van Dyck and Tom Master are heirs to the city's original sin, but they and their descendants are sympathetic, many-faceted human beings: loving and prejudiced, generous and ambitious, part of a community in which the desirability of wealth is taken for granted.Īlmost a third of the novel covers the Revolutionary War, beginning with the early tensions between England and the Colonies. Manhattan was founded on a misunderstanding. It opens in 1664 with a Dutch immigrant and the half-Indian daughter he loves but does not acknowledge for fear of offending his proud wife.

The characters, with few exceptions, are drawn with genuine depth the plot offers numerous surprising twists and a theme of real weight builds to a moving conclusion. Michener, but also something more interesting. New York is a sweeping panorama of New York City history in the grand style of James A.

New york rutherfurd book review