City of Dreams: A Novel of Nieuw Amsterdam and Early Manhattan (Abridged) Audiobook

" This is historical fiction about the settling of New York. The story traces two families through the early days of settling New York. This is the first in a series of four books. Since I like historical fiction and family sagas, I really enjoyed this first in the series. "

" LOVE reading about Old New York (New Amsterdam)! "

" I had to stop reading this one, so I give it one star. It had a lot of promise, it's about the beginnings of New York City, but it got a little too crass for my taste. I prefer to like the main characters when I'm reading a book, and found that I didn't care a hoot what happened to any of them, which helped me make my decision to nix this one. Not recommended to anyone who prefers reading a "cleaner" novel. "

" This book begins with the earliest settlers in Neuew Amsterdam (New York) to the end of the Revolutionary war. This fictitional book was a good means of telling the story of the beginning of our country. Based on one family who splits and becomes competition for one another, it is a story of the first pharmacists, surgeons, and physicians, keeping in mind that there were no anesthetics at the time. Much was done with guesswork, which ultimately killed people rather than helped them. A pretty fascinating read. "

" Fantastic historical fiction about the early practice of medicine in the new world. A great read about early New York and the revolutionary war. It has it all: sex, violence love and war and really interesting history. I enjoyed this book immensely. "

" At first I really liked this historical novel about settling New York City. I thought I would learn a lot and there would be a compelling story to move the information along. but there I was 357 pages into the book, suddenly realizing it had moved from historical novel to lusty, bawdy Daniel-Steele-like fiction - only set in the 18th century. Whoremasters, conjoined twin prostitues, rapes, pillages, balls cut off....come on!!! Sorry, if you like a light, very light historical fiction then this book is for you but if you were hoping for something a little richer, don't bother. "

" An almost perfect historical novel and a detalied view of New York City in its early days and through the American Revolution. Great, colorful characters. "

" I loved this historical novel of 17th -18th century New York and the practice of medicine - gory and upsetting at times, but always gripping! "

" I enjoyed the historical aspects but not the romance. I had the audio version. Hey, it was only a dollar at Half Price Books and gave me something to listen to while trying to fall asleep! "

" Read this historical novel many years ago. Lots of stuff on medicine but I loved it. "

" Ya'll know I love historical fiction. This was a great epic novel. A page turner for sure! "

" I have to say, this book was a difficult read. I think it was an important book to really understand the early years of New York. I just could not imagine living in that time period. I'll stick with the years I have and will live! "

" interesting portrayal of early american medicine, social dysfunctions and family "

" This was a good piece of historical fiction. "

" Love, sex, violence, murder, family feuds, deceit, medicine, miracles.......what more could you ask for in a book! "

" Excellent! I thoroughly enjoyed all the gory parts about surgery in the 1700's...and felt strongly for the characters. Much better than her first one..there was too much politics in that one. This one had a better mix of politics and authentic NY history. "

" pretty good - racey - read "

" Love love love ! "

" Good historical novel about New York, also focussing on medical practices of the times. "

" Well written and interesting. I loved the bits of NY history. Most NY'ers can appreciate it. The other fascinating piece was the perspective on medical care around the 1700s - how much times have changes from humors to infections! "

" Love the NYC history and the characters in the families. "

" Intrigue, romance and incredible details about the history of New York. A must read for history buffs! I loved it ! "

" If you like historical fiction...set in NY....this is great... "

" good beach read but seemed a bit more romance novel than historical fiction (as it was billed to me by book club). and as far as romance novels go, i've read better (fever series etc.) however as i did in fact read it on the beach, it was quick and painless... "

" Read about a family generation of love and hate. "

" This is historical fiction about the settling of New York. The story traces two families through the early days of settling New York. This is the first in a series of four books. Since I like historical fiction and family sagas, I really enjoyed this first in the series. "

" I give it a four because of all the infomation and research involved but that is why is doesn't get a five. Way too much information makes it a hard book to read. It would have been better as a trilogy. "

" This is a good pick for me. Why? Because I am a nurse with an additional degree in history who loves to read both historical fiction and disgusting accounts of skin lesions. Yep, it's right up my alley. OK, finished now. It's a whole lot of gore and a soap-opera story line. "

" I greatly disliked this book for the content, the style and the way it tried to cover its distasteful content behind history. Thinking that all of us enjoy gore and scandal, it made regular people appear to be devilishly flawed at all turns. "

" I LOVED Shadowbrook and thought I would like anything this author wrote . . . wrong. I read 100 pages to give it a fair chance and was happy to put it down for good. "

" Fantastic historical fiction about the early practice of medicine in the new world. A great read about early New York and the revolutionary war. It has it all: sex, violence love and war and really interesting history. I enjoyed this book immensely. "

" Strong marks for the historical setting, which served as a vivid tour of the early political/social development of the city of New York. If only the family drama plot had been as engaging as the setting! "

" Have your stomach ready for the blood, guts, and violence. "

" Excellent book. Slow start at first, but turned out really good, and again, a screwed up story. Really twisted familial relations. Interesting take on history of NY. "