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Charles II and his brother, the Duke of York, had dreams of empire, and their arch-rivals, the Dutch, were in the way. But Richard Nicolls, who led the English flotilla bent on destruction, changed his strategy once he began parleying with Peter Stuyvesant, the Dutch leader on Manhattan.   Bristling with vibrant characters, Taking Manhattan reveals the founding of New York to be an invention: the result not of a violent English takeover, but of clever negotiations that led to the fusing of the multiethnic, capitalistic society the Dutch had pioneered to the power of the rising English empire. But the birth of what might be termed the first modern city is also a story of the brutal dispossession of Native Americans and of the roots of American slavery.   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Charles II and his brother, the Duke of York, had dreams of empire, and their archrivals, the Dutch, were in the way. But Richard Nicolls, the military officer who led the English flotilla bent on destruction, changed his strategy once he encountered Peter Stuyvesant, New Netherland’s canny director general.   Bristling with vibrant characters, Taking Manhattan reveals the founding of New York to be an invention, the result of creative negotiations that would blend the multiethnic, capitalistic society of New Amsterdam with the power of the rising English empire. But the birth of what might be termed the first modern city is also a story of the brutal dispossession of Native Americans and of the roots of American slavery. The book draws from newly translated materials and illuminates neglected histories—of religious refugees, Indigenous tribes, and free and enslaved Africans.   Taking Manhattan tells the riveting story of the birth of New York City as a center of capitalism and pluralism, a foundation from which America would rise. It also shows how the paradox of New York’s origins—boundless opportunity coupled with subjugation and displacement—reflects America’s promise and failure to this day. Russell Shorto, whose work has been described as “astonishing” (New York Times) and “literary alchemy” (Chicago Tribune), has once again mined archival sources to offer a vibrant tale and a fresh and trenchant argument about American beginnings.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":52628659962129,"sku":"NGR9781324130581","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":53558138568977,"sku":"NIN9781324130581","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/9781324130581.jpg?v=1772793730"},{"product_id":"taking-manhattan-book-russell-shorto-9781800754980","title":"Taking Manhattan","description":"‘An informative and thought-provoking history’ The Telegraph   ‘A story rich in intrigue, diplomacy and personalities’ New Statesman   'Offering new perspectives and ideas' Guardian   'Here is the whirligig of history, which Shorto captures vividly in this well-researched, well-written, sprightly book' Literary Review   A New Zealand Listener 100 Best Books of 2025   In 1664, England decided to invade the Dutch-controlled city of New Amsterdam on Manhattan Island. 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Based on newly translated sources, Taking Manhattan shows how the paradox of New York’s origins — boundless opportunity coupled with subjugation and displacement — reflect America’s promise and failure to this day.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":53240978997521,"sku":"NLS9781800754980","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/9781800754980.jpg?v=1773269609"},{"product_id":"j-r-r-tolkien-book-russell-shorto-9780943718071","title":"J. R. R. 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