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It Happened In Manhattan: An Oral History of Life in the City During The Mid-20th Century

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It Happened In Manhattan: An Oral History of Life in the City During The Mid-20th Century

By: Myrna Katz Frommer   Harvey Frommer  

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Lowest New Price: $3.00
List Price: $15.00

Average Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5

Description:
A mosaic of mid-century Manhattan and an exuberant oral history that begins in the post-World War II years when the city came into its own, and ends in the mid-1970s when it nearly went bust.

For anyone who grew up in or near "the city"-or fell in love with New York as an adult-this unique history is filled with vintage photos and personal interviews with such New York luminaries as Jimmy Breslin, Bill Gallo, Monte Irvin, Robert Merrill, Elaine Kaufman, Jerry Della Femmina, and Saul Zabar. It Happened in Manhattan is an often humorous, sometimes poignant, occasionally bitter-but always loving-testament to the magic of Manhattan.

Publisher: Berkley Trade

Release Date: 2003-09-02

Customer Review: 5 out of 5
Like riding a time machine - just great! - THE CITY HEARD

Words can conjure up places and times as vividly as pictures do, especially when people are speaking from the heart, fueled by intimate experiences and affectionate memories of a place.

It Happened In Manhattan stitches together anecdotes and recollections told by a disparate group of Manhattanites - from writers and architects to rabbis and restaurateurs - all steeped in the spirit of the city where they live and work.

Stretching from the close of World War II through the psychedelic 60s and beyond, the subjects of the recollections are equally diverse. Many of the chapter headings come from songs - "East Side/West Side," "Puttin' on the Ritz" - reflecting the writers' wish to celebrate their city as enjoyably as generations of entertainers have. They also note its dark and somber sides.

Imaginatively chosen photos round out the portrait capturing nostalgic moments or illustrating stories told on adjoining pages. Flipping through the book is like riding a time machine to one of New York's energetic eras.

Customer Review: 5 out of 5
CAPTURES MANHATTAN - Certainly is a handsome volume--good cover and
production values.And it captures Manhattan in a way that puts that borough in sharp contrast to Brooklyn. Those giving testimony in the Brooklyn book were steeped in the lore of their neighborhoods, knew their streets and schools, and rooted for their beloved bums.
A job well done--but, when can we expect "It Happened in Staten Island"?

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