New Book 'Greater Gotham' Explores NYC's Formative Years

A new historical examination, Greater Gotham: A History of New York City from 1898 to 1919, offers a detailed look at the city's formative years. The book, by Mike Wallace, focuses on the lives of individual New Yorkers, including progressives, radicals, and insurgents, not just elite businessmen. The author highlights the contributions of women who advocated for less affluent citizens, aiming to capture diverse urban experiences.

The book also addresses New York's complex relationship with World War I. It details the city's division regarding U.S. entry into the conflict, with the English-speaking upper class generally in favor and multi-ethnic working classes largely opposed. Following the nation's entry, the city's diverse identity clashed with a wave of patriotism, leading to the repression of radicals and a rise in nationalism among German and Irish immigrants.

The historical account, covering 1898 to 1919, has been reviewed by publications such as The Economist and American Nineteenth Century History.