Supreme City: How Jazz Age Manhattan Gave Birth to Modern America

Manhattan in the jazz age.

This book contains 582 pages of text and I read this book for a while and then switched to something else before tackling another section. There were parts of the book I thoroughly enjoyed such as the baseball, boxing, gangsters, Charles Lindbergh, Flo Ziegfeld, the chapters on the building of the Holland tunnel and George Washington Bridge, and some of the chapters involved in the construction of buildings such as the Chrysler Building, the baby of Walter Chrysler who said, "I like to build things." Another chapter I found interesting was the one on S. L. Rothafel, better known as Roxy, who had the Roxy theatre built. He had a great quote which read, "Don't give the people what they want; give them something better than they expect."I found it interesting to know where some of the historic buildings of the past were located and when they were demolished. New York is a fascinating city and one could be dropped off most anywhere in the city and know that something historic took place there. I skimmed parts of the book I didn't especially care for but I'm glad to add this book to my library.

If you love the history of New York as I do and have a library of books that bring the past ofI consider to be the greatest city on the planet this book is a great addition. The author has has given us an incredibly detailed and intimate view of mid-town Manhattan in the jazz age. I am too much in love with NYC and addicted to books that portray it's amazing transformation over 400 plus years to be able to give a objective review.Being introduced to the characters of that era who shaped New York then in many ways the future provided an intimacy most histories do not. Men and woman who were prominent in politics, high rise development, entertainment, broadcasting and sports all come alive. Jimmy Walker, Babe Ruth, Flo Ziegfeld, they are are all players on this stage presented by Donald Miller.

Donald Miller's recently published "Supreme City" provides a new and welcome approach to urban history. Concentrating on the years 1926-1932, Miller brings New York City to life like no previous work. Without sacrificing his high scholarly standards, Miller moves the story along at the pace of a gripping novel. He reveals how these years were so critical to the economic, social, cultural, political, and physical changes that transformed the city and made it what it is. In telling the stories of the fascinating personalities and organizations that re-created the city during these years, Miller easily clarifies their vastly complex and significant relationships. Miller has, once again, as he did with Chicago in "The City of the Century," produced a significant history that is eminently readable, and a "must-read" for anyone curious about the iconic city that has so defined urban America.

though the sub-title almost put me off as other cities' Jazz influences were much greater;on the other hand the perhaps more accurate "How Roaring 20s Manhattan gave ..." doesn't 'flow' as well.But I'd stress that it's much more than a 'period history' as Dr. Miller illustrates his theme thru 'stand alone'chapters on special areas, most all of which have ongoing influence on life in NYC today.While for me, some areas were very familiar, in the end I was much impressed by how it all fit together as aninterrelated whole offering insight even in subjects I thought I knew well.

This is an amazing and revealing book about an era in the history of NYC that is most interesting .The author Donald L Miller shines a light on this time period and enlightens the readers as to the importance of events and people during this exciting phase of growth in this great city.It covers the major geo political events and the extraordinary construction that took place at that time,while peppering those events with chapters of interesting information on the individuals who lived and worked to make Manhattan the Supreme City .A must read for everyone interested in the development of the culture of this city and this country.

Superb book with a very readable account of the saints, few in number, and sinners, many here, who made NYC the place it was in the late 1920's.A fine introduction to how one city changed much of the USA about many things. also a better understanding of why NYG is so resented in many parts of our country. As a NYC native it was delightful to read of the place and time my dad grew up and inhabited. A rare historian who can tell a tale with the best of the novelists.Just read it!

Like a population-dense NYC, this is a big book that deserves big praise. "Supremacy," in every sense, is easily conveyed via the lives, achievements, and restored failures of those who lived it. What better way is there to appreciate the profound complexity of a never-to-come-again time and place?In that sense, these are the tales of the rags to riches to rags to riches cycle of an era whose unique magnitude so totally impacted every facet of a radical, newly-emergent American culture. And, perhaps best of all, these tales do it with a novelistic verve that renders a fact-laden history to an adventuresome odyssey.

a terrific historical walk through midtown... getting behind the characters that built the modern city in such a short window of time was truly insightful and made for a great read. I agree that jazz was given short shrift here but there is no shortage of alternative sources for that... the politics, the architecture, sports, heroes and menaces of the day are all well covered. For a thick book, it was a very fast and enjoyable read!

A really great read

An excellent book. The opening chapter might start slow but don't be put off, it gets better and better and really is a brilliant read. Would recommend to anyone interested in New York.