A History of New York (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. A Knickerbocker Mock-History of Dutch Colonial Manhattan, New Amsterdam Satire, and American Comic OriginsBy Washington Irving
Length15h 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
Rating★★★★ 3.8 (1.3K)
Includes Goodreads, LibraryThing, Amazon, StoryGraph
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)
26CHAPTER I
2Introduction
27CHAPTER II
3Synopsis
28CHAPTER III
4Historical Context
29CHAPTER IV
5Author Biography
30CHAPTER V
Show all chaptersShow less
6A History of New York: From the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty (Complete Edition – Volume 1 & 2)
31CHAPTER VI
7VOLUME I
32CHAPTER VII
8INTRODUCTION
33CHAPTER VIII
9BOOK I
34CHAPTER IX
10CHAPTER I
35BOOK IV
11CHAPTER II
36CHAPTER I
12CHAPTER III
37CHAPTER II
13CHAPTER IV
38CHAPTER III
14CHAPTER V
39CHAPTER IV
15BOOK II
40CHAPTER V
16CHAPTER I
41VOLUME II
17CHAPTER II
42INTRODUCTION
18CHAPTER III
43CHAPTER VI
19CHAPTER IV
44CHAPTER VII
20CHAPTER V
45CHAPTER VIII
21CHAPTER VI
46CHAPTER IX
22CHAPTER VII
47CHAPTER X
23CHAPTER VIII
48CHAPTER XI
24CHAPTER IX
49CHAPTER XII
25BOOK III
50BOOK V
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