City of Dreams: A Novel of Nieuw Amsterdam and Early Manhattan (Old New York, #1)

By Beverly Swerling

Book Overview

A sweeping epic of two families--one Dutch, one English--from the time when New Amsterdam was a raw and rowdy settlement, to the triumph of the Revolution, when New York became a new nation's city of dreams.

In 1661, Lucas Turner, a barber surgeon, and his sister, Sally, an apothecary, stagger off a small wooden ship after eleven weeks at sea. Bound to each other by blood and necessity, they aim to make a fresh start in the rough and rowdy Dutch settlement of Nieuw Amsterdam; but soon lust, betrayal, and murder will make them mortal enemies. In their struggle to survive in the New World, Lucas and Sally make choices that will burden their descendants with a legacy of secrets and retribution, and create a heritage that sets cousin against cousin, physician against surgeon, and, ultimately, patriot against Tory.

In what will be the greatest city in the New World, the fortunes of these two families are inextricably entwined by blood and fire in an unforgettable American saga of pride and ambition, love and hate, and the becoming of the dream that is New York City.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0684871734
• ISBN13: 9780684871738
• Release Date: June 2002
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 592 Pages
• Weight: 1.24 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 5.4" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

A Wonderful Historical Fiction Starring New York City

This is a terrific novel that begins in the Dutch Colonial period when New York City was New Amsterdam and continues until just after the American Revolution. Swerling's story is filled with interesting characters, some sympathetic and others appalling, but all of whom are captivating. She tells the story of our great city through the lives, loves and adventures of several families whose members are surgeons (barbers), medical...

A Riveting Epic Novel Of Historical Manhattan. Superb!!

"City Of Dreams" provides an extremely rich slice of Manhattan history along with an intricately plotted novel filled with unforgettable characters. I couldn't put this book down!English barber surgeon Lucas Turner and his apothecary sister, Sally, land in mid-17th century Nieuw Amsterdam after a grueling sea voyage from the Netherlands. The two are devoted to each other, having escaped from a life of squalor and poverty to...

Could not put it down!

I will truthfully say I bought this book at a dollar store. But I could not put it down. I would gladly pay full price to own this book. If a reader is even slightly interested in medicine or history this book will appeal to them. It tweeked at my patriotism also. You become enthralled by the characters in the story. I could not decide which side I was on so I decided to root for everyone. The goryness and truthfullness of...

The Read of Your Dreams

Similiar in style to Edward Rutherford's historical novels("London," "The Forest"), Beverly Swerling's book "City of Dreams" focuses on early Manhattan and more specifically, medical practices during the early colonization of Manhattan. "City of Dreams" is crammed with interesting characters such as "Red Bess" who runs the local apothecary; and fascinating descriptions of early medical procedures like the "stone cutting"...

A Gripping Read & Important History of Downtown New York

This lush, intricately woven novel is truly arresting on several levels, the first being perhaps the most important: it's a darn great read, and a page turner to boot. I loved it.Given the fast pace and many exciting events, you'll find it hard to put down. However, as you won't be able to digest it in one sitting, you'll have time to absorb and appreciate the fascinating cast of characters the author assembles. You can...