Dutch Influence on New York

American Historian and journalist Russell Shorto is an author, best known for his books on the Dutch origins of New York City. Russel Shorto gave a lecture on October 28th in 2013 at the New-York Historical Society. You can watch Shorto’s lecture through CSpan here — VIDEO HERE— For all those who carry a warm heart towards New York and Amsterdam, I highly recommend reading both of Shorto’s books on this topic: “The Island at the Center of the World: The Epic Story of Dutch Manhattan and the Forgotten Colony that Shaped America” (BOOK). This book became a New York Times extended list bestseller, and a featured selection of the Book of the Month Club, History Bookclub and Quality Paperback Bookclub. And his October 2013 released book: “Amsterdam: A History of the World’s Most Liberal City.” (BOOK). Almost 350 years after the short-lived Dutch rule came to an end on Manhattan, traces of “New Amsterdam” can still be found in everything from street names to the design of the official flag of New York City. Using the history of Amsterdam as a backdrop Shorto explains why Americans also have the Dutch to thank for some of New York’s most celebrated and enduring characteristics, including its cultural and religious diversity. Photo Credit: carambolasfilms. For my German and Berlin friends I recommend, Peter Watson’s – “The German Genius: Europe’s Third Renaissance, the Second Scientific Revolution, and the Twentieth Century.” (BOOK). More: 8-Minute Video Essay that argues that Director Steve McQueen’s Feature Film ‘Shame’ (2011), is Actually A Critique Of The Modern Metropolis New York – WATCH VIDEO– Enjoy!