
A History of New York (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. A Knickerbocker Mock-History of Dutch Colonial Manhattan, New Amsterdam Satire, and American Comic OriginsBy Washington IrvingLength15h 5m
About this audiobook
A History of New York is Washington Irving's exuberant mock-history of Dutch colonial Manhattan, narrated through the comic persona of Diedrich Knickerbocker. Blending antiquarian parody, political satire, burlesque epic, and pseudo-scholarly apparatus, the book transforms local history into a playful literary performance. Its digressive style, mock erudition, and affectionate ridicule place it within eighteenth-century satirical traditions while anticipating a distinctly American comic prose, rooted in regional memory yet skeptical of civic mythmaking. Irving, born in New York in 1783, wrote at a moment when the young republic was seeking cultural legitimacy and historical depth. His cosmopolitan reading, legal training, journalistic experience, and intimate knowledge of New York society all shaped the work's wit and ironic perspective. By inventing Knickerbocker, Irving created not only a narrator but a durable cultural identity for old New York, revealing his fascination with how communities manufacture origins, heroes, and traditions. This book is highly recommended for readers interested in early American literature, urban history, and sophisticated comic writing. It rewards those who enjoy satire that is learned without being dry, patriotic without being solemn, and historically minded without surrendering to fact alone.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
GenreHumor
Length15 hrs 5 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateDec 12, 2023
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1A History of New York (Annotated)
44CHAPTER VII
2Introduction
45CHAPTER VIII
3Synopsis
46CHAPTER IX
4Historical Context
47CHAPTER X
5Author Biography
48CHAPTER XI
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6A History of New York: From the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty (Complete Edition – Volume 1 & 2)
49CHAPTER XII
7VOLUME I
50BOOK V
8INTRODUCTION
51CHAPTER I
9BOOK I
52CHAPTER II
10CHAPTER I
53CHAPTER III
11CHAPTER II
54CHAPTER IV
12CHAPTER III
55CHAPTER V
13CHAPTER IV
56CHAPTER VI
14CHAPTER V
57CHAPTER VII
15BOOK II
58CHAPTER VIII
16CHAPTER I
59CHAPTER IX
17CHAPTER II
60BOOK VI
18CHAPTER III
61CHAPTER I
19CHAPTER IV
62CHAPTER II
20CHAPTER V
63CHAPTER III
21CHAPTER VI
64CHAPTER IV
22CHAPTER VII
65CHAPTER V
23CHAPTER VIII
66CHAPTER VI
24CHAPTER IX
67CHAPTER VII
25BOOK III
68CHAPTER VIII
26CHAPTER I
69CHAPTER IX
27CHAPTER II
70BOOK VII
28CHAPTER III
71CHAPTER I
29CHAPTER IV
72CHAPTER II
30CHAPTER V
73CHAPTER III
31CHAPTER VI
74CHAPTER IV
32CHAPTER VII
75CHAPTER V
33CHAPTER VIII
76CHAPTER VI
34CHAPTER IX
77CHAPTER VII
35BOOK IV
78CHAPTER VIII
36CHAPTER I
79CHAPTER IX
37CHAPTER II
80CHAPTER X
38CHAPTER III
81CHAPTER XI
39CHAPTER IV
82CHAPTER XII
40CHAPTER V
83CHAPTER XIII
41VOLUME II
84Analysis
42INTRODUCTION
85Reflection
43CHAPTER VI
86Memorable Quotes