New York: An Illustrated History

A revised and expanded edition of the landmark, ravishing history of New York City-the companion volume to the acclaimed PBS series-that begins in 1624 and brings its 400-year-long story up to the current moment. This edition of the biography of this great and ever-evolving city includes two new chapters that deliver a sweeping portrait of New York since September 11, 2001. Here is the city at the dawn of the 21st century, having emerged from decades of decline to assert its place at the very center of a new globalized culture. Yet, here too is a city challenged-indeed, sometimes shaken to its core-by a series of profound crises- the aftermath of 9/11, the continual struggle with racial injustice, the financial crisis of 2008, the devastation of Superstorm Sandy, the still unfolding cataclysm of the COVID-19 pandemic. Also brought up to date in the new chapters is the lively portrait of the city's vibrant street life and culture- the birth of hip-hop in the South Bronx, Christo and Jeanne-Claude's Gates in Central Park, the celebrated Broadway musicals and songs, the explosion in location filmmaking, the pivotal rise of the tech industry, and so much more. The history of this city-especially in the tumultuous and transformative two decades covered by the new chapters-is an epic story of rebirth and growth, of dramatic physical and economic change and exploding cultural energy, intertwined with staggering episodes of catastrophe and challenge. It is the story of an incomparable place, told in an incomparable book.

About the Author :
Ric Burns is a documentary filmmaker best known for directing the award-winning PBS series New York, which he wrote with James Sanders. He is also known for his work on The Civil War, which he produced with his brother, Ken. Since 1990, he has directed nearly fifty hours of prime-time programming for PBS, and the films have received seven Emmy Awards, three Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards, and two Peabody Awards, among others.

Review :
“The story of New York City, like that of an ancient myth, needs to be told again and again, because the drama never ends and because the past appears different depending on when you pause to look back. Ric Burns and James Sanders have published a hefty but fleetly narrated volume that starts with Henry Hudson’s arrival in 1609 and ends with the most current of the city’s innumerable recoveries. The illustrations are so luscious they’re practically edible, and the writing is lively and well researched. What makes the book a joy is all the varied and vibrant New York voices and images so vivid you want to dive in.” —Justin Davidson, New York magazine   “The passionate desire to explore and celebrate is evident in Ric Burns and Janes Sanders’ updated and expanded edition of their landmark book, New York: An Illustrated History. The only book of its kind, this beautifully illustrated volume spans four centuries from 1625 until today, documenting spirit of the ‘City of Dreams’ from revolution and resistance to the resilience of its inhabitants—capturing all that is extraordinary and heartbreaking about this wonderful city, ‘so nice they named it twice.’” —A. M. Homes, author of May We Be Forgiven and The Mistress’s Daughter