Description
Book Synopsis“Part lively social history, part architectural survey, here is the story of Broadway—from 17th-century cow path to Great White Way.”—Geoff Wisner,
Wall Street JournalTrade Review"Wonderful.… Engagingly written and full of vivid characters. I couldn’t put it down." -- Kenneth T. Jackson, editor-in-chief, The Encyclopedia of New York City
"Meticulously researched.… [Fran] Leadon’s tale is a whirl of characters.… It is a whirl, too, of events.… Leadon is graced with a wry wit." -- Clyde Haberman - New York Times Book Review
"A new history of the street that tells the story of modern America." -- David Taylor - Guardian
"Fran Leadon’s
Broadway uses the thirteen miles of the great New York avenue to tell the remarkable story of the city’s evolution—its landmarks and legends, its high rollers and lowriders. Part architectural history, part social history, it’s a cornucopia of intellectual delights. Endlessly fascinating and full of fun." -- John Lahr
"A magical mystery tour of the street that invented American popular culture." -- Mike Davis, author of City of Quartz
"Fran Leadon… is a perfect biographer for Broadway, a main character in the development of one of the world’s great cities. His book is dense, richly written and researched, loaded with a million fun anecdotes." -- Bowery Boys blog
"Well-written and very readable. I recommend it highly for anyone with an interest in New York City and its history. In following the journey up Broadway mile by mile, the reader can better understand a lot of American history and the trip is quite enjoyable." -- Richard D. Weigel - Bowling Green Daily News
"Fran Leadon’s
Broadway is only incidentally about the theaters that are the avenue’s famous feature, but is, as the subtitle promises, a witty and informed history of New York City—a travelogue through the past." -- David Luhrssen - Shepherd Express
