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Knickerbocker

Elizabeth L. Bradley
€47.99
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A History of New York
A01=Elizabeth L. Bradley
Author_Elizabeth L. Bradley
Category=NHTB
cultural history
dutch
Dutch immigrant story
dutchman
ELIZABETH L. BRADLEY
eq_bestseller
eq_history
eq_isMigrated=0
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eq_nobargain
eq_non-fiction
historyl Diedrich Knickerbocker
Hystorical hoax
knickerbocker
library collection of New York Cityuthemed books
myth
New Amsterdam
new york
New York "attitude"
New York history
New York's first truly homegrown chronicler
NY
NYC
The Myth behind New York
two-hundredth anniversary of Washington Irving's publication of A History of New York
Washington Irving

Product details

  • ISBN 9780813545165
  • Weight: 454g
  • Dimensions: 140 x 216mm
  • Publication Date: 27 May 2009
  • Publisher: Rutgers University Press
  • Publication City/Country: US
  • Product Form: Hardback
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Description
Deep within New York's compelling, sprawling history lives an odd, ornery Manhattan native named Diedrich Knickerbocker. The name may be familiar today: his story gave rise to generations of popular tributes-from a beer brand to a basketball team and more-but Knickerbocker himself has been forgotten. In fact, he was New York's first truly homegrown chronicler, and as a descendant of the Dutch settlers, he singlehandedly tried to reclaim the city for the Dutch. Almost singlehandedly, that is. Diedrich Knickerbocker was created in 1809 by a young Washington Irving, who used the character to narrate his classic satire, A History of New York. According to Irving's partisan narrator, everything good and distinctive, proud and powerful, about New York City-from the doughnuts to the twisting streets of lower Manhattan-could be traced back to New Amsterdam. Terrific general interest, cultural history of a city with a rich and lively literary past. First-ever book on the eponymous myth that has informed New York City culture since the early 1800s. Coincides with the two-hundredth anniversary of Washington Irving's publication of A History of New York. Perfect gift book or addition to library collection of New York CityÙthemed books.

Includes a gallery of images that brings Diedrich Knickerbocker, his myth, time, and place to life Knickerbocker engagingly traces the creation, evolution, and prevalence of Irving's imaginary historian in New York literature and history, art and advertising, from the early nineteenth century to the present day. Who would imagine this satiric character, at once a snob and a champion of the people, would endure for two hundred years? In Elizabeth L. Bradley's words, "Whether you call it 'blood,' style, attitude, or moxie, the little Dutchman could deliver." And, from this engaging work, it is clear that he does.

Bradley's stunning volume offers a surprising and delightful glimpse behind the scenes of New York history, and invites readers into the world of Knickerbocker, the antihero who surprised everyone by becoming the standard-bearer for the city's exceptional sense of self, or what we now call a New York "attitude."
About Elizabeth L. Bradley
ELIZABETH L. BRADLEY is the Senior Director of Programs and Engagement at Historic Hudson Valley. She is the author of Cityscopes: New York and has edited several volumes of Washington Irving's work. Dr. Bradley has written for The New York Times, Smithsonian.com, Salon, and McSweeney's, among other publications.
 

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