Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898 facts for kids
First edition cover
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| Author |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Non-fiction |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press |
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Publication date
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November 19, 1998 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| Pages | 1416 pp. |
| ISBN | 978-0-19-511634-2 |
Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898 is an exciting non-fiction book. It tells the story of New York City up to the year 1898. Two famous historians, Edwin G. Burrows and Mike Wallace, wrote it. They spent over twenty years researching for this book! Oxford University Press published it in 1998. The book was so good that it won the Pulitzer Prize for History in 1999. This is a very important award for books about history.
There are also follow-up books. One is called Greater Gotham: A History of New York City from 1898 to 1919. Mike Wallace wrote this second book. It came out in 2017. This book covers the next 20 years of New York City's past. The authors plan to write a third book too. It will cover the years from 1920 to 1945.
What Does "Gotham" Mean?
Have you ever heard New York City called "Gotham"? This nickname was first used a long time ago. A famous writer named Washington Irving created it. He used the name in 1807. It appeared in his magazine called Salmagundi.
Where Did the Name Come From?
The name "Gotham" comes from an old English village. This village is called Gotham. People from this village were known for being a bit silly or foolish. Washington Irving used this idea to playfully describe New York City. It was a fun way to give the city a unique nickname.
