Descript |
xiii, 191 pages, [16] pages of plates : illustrations ; 23 cm |
Note |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 153-178) and index |
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The picture of Knickerbocker -- Inheriting Knickerbocker -- Fashioning a Knickerbocracy -- Knickerbocker in a new century |
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How Diedrich Knickerbocker, a fictional man of stature, flamboyance and Dutch lineage, shaped the city's identity. The narrator of Washington Irving's A History of New York, Knickerbocker has charmed readers since 1809 with his half-fantastical urban history. The author maintains that the proud Dutchman inspired New Yorkers to assert their own idiosyncratic relationship to the city, and to its history. Knickerbocker was appropriated: for political gain during FDR's presidency, commercial reward for countless businesses and sports promotion for teams like the New York Knicks |
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Deep within New York's compelling, sprawling history lives an odd, ornery Manhattan native named Diedrich Knickerbocker. The name may be familiar today: his story gave rise to generations of popular tributes--from a beer brand to a basketball team and more--but Knickerbocker himself has been forgotten. In fact, he was New York's first truly homegrown chronicler, and as a descendant of the Dutch settlers, he singlehandedly tried to reclaim the city for the Dutch. Almost singlehandedly, that is. Diedrich Knickerbocker was created in 1809 by a young Washington Irving, who used the character to narrate his classic satire, A History of New York. According to Irving's partisan narrator, everything good and distinctive, proud and powerful, about New York City--from the doughnuts to the twisting streets of lower Manhattan--could be traced back to New Amsterdam. Terrific general interest, cultural history of a city with a rich and lively literary past. First-ever book on the eponymous myth that has informed New York City culture since the early 1800s |
Subject |
Irving, Washington, 1783-1859. History of New York
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Irving, Washington, 1783-1859 -- Characters -- Diedrich Knickerbocker
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Irving, Washington, 1783-1859 -- Influence
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Irving, Washington 1783-1859 A history of New York, from the beginning of the world to the end of the Dutch dynasty
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Irving, Washington, 1783-1859.
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History of New York (Irving, Washington)
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Group identity -- New York (State) -- New York
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City and town life -- New York (State) -- New York
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Dutch -- New York (State) -- New York -- History
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City and town life.
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Dutch.
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Group identity.
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Influence (Literary, artistic, etc.)
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Literature.
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Manners and customs.
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Manhattan (New York, N.Y.) -- Social life and customs
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New York (N.Y.) -- Social life and customs
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New York (N.Y.) -- In literature
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New York (N.Y.) -- History -- Chronology
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New York (State) -- New York
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New York (State) -- New York -- Manhattan
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Chronologies.
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History.
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Historia
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Classmark |
974.7/103
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ISBN/ISSN |
9780813545165 |
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0813545161 |
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