The Island at the Center of the World
The Epic Story of Dutch Manhattan and the Forgotten Colony That Shaped America
by Russell Shorto
Should I read this?
Recommended by 1 source and appears in American History, About New York City, and History.
When the British wrested New Amsterdam from the Dutch in 1664, the truth about its thriving, polyglot society began to disappear into myths about an island purchased for 24 dollars and a cartoonish peglegged governor. But the story of the Dutch colony of New Netherland was merely lost, not destroyed: 12,000 pages of its records?recently declared a...
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Why recommended
Recommended by 1 source and appears in American History, About New York City, and History.
Recommended by notable people
People and public figures who have recommended this book.
Recommendation Signals
Recommendation proof is sourced from public posts, interviews, reading lists, and cited references.
Alice Korngold
“Loved and highly recommend #IslandAtTheCenteroftheWorld by @RussellShorto Thrilling and illuminating! I sent this announcement to my family and they’re all texting how much they loved this book! #Manhattan #NYC”
Appears In
Not sure if this is the right fit?
Consider Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Recommended by 19 sources.
“Goodwin weaves letters and diaries into an immersive story, dropping you into the 1860s surrounded by ambitious characters jockeying for power. Her strength is making Lincoln’s political acumen—his ability to read men, soothe egos, and wait—feel urgent and instructive. The downside: at nearly 900 pages, the chronicle of cabinet infighting can become a slog, and the near-hagiographic tone may grate if you want a more critical lens.”
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Each recommendation is collected from a public source — interviews, articles, or curated lists — and linked to its original URL. Books with many verifiable recommendations from respected people rank higher.