Perseus Academic: New York at War by Steven H. Jaffe

Kenneth T. Jackson, editor-in-chief of The Encyclopedia of New York City

From the Battle of Brooklyn in 1776 to the Battle of the Atlantic in 1943, the great Hudson River metropolis and its huge harbor have been central to the American military experience. New York at War is a page-turner, and it tells an important and fascinating story with authority and distinction.

Vincent J. Cannato, author of American Passage: The History of Ellis Island Too many New Yorkers have forgotten that their city had a long history of armed conflicts and violent attacks even before the attacks of 9/11. Steven Jaffe's book is a much-needed reminder of that story as he leads the reader on a brisk and engaging tale of Indian wars, slave revolts, draft riots, German saboteurs, and terrorist bombings.  Edwin G. Burrows, co-author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Gotham and author of Forgotten Patriots New York at War is a sobering reminder that attack, or the threat of attack, runs like a red thread through four centuries of Gotham's history. Indeed, Jaffe's impressively comprehensive narrative will persuade you that no other American city has been targeted by enemies of one kind or another more often than New York. It's also sure to leave you wondering what's next.  Barnet Schecter, author of The Battle for New York and The Devil's Own Work With fluid, engaging prose and impressive research, Steven Jaffe has managed to capture the city's sprawling, complex history in a brisk narrative that brings each era vividly to life. At the same time, he skillfully weaves the powerful themes that unify the book: New York's uniqueness and its cultural symbolism have long made the city a target for attack, while the responses of its diverse people to wartime threats offer universal lessons about balancing civil liberties and security to sustain freedom and democratic values. New York at War is a remarkable achievement.  Mike Wallace, co-author of Gotham Foreign foes have rarely attacked New York directly, but the city has been profoundly involved in the nation's many military conflicts. As Steven Jaffe shows in this novel and absorbing study, Gotham has been banker and arsenal, staging ground and recruiting post, cheerleader and critic, fortification and tempting target. Seen in a series, the wartime experiences are strikingly different, and Jaffe respects each war story's particularity. But he's also good at spotting commonalities, the most intriguing being the way wars abroad become wars at home, with New York's polyglot citizenry battling over a conflict's legitimacy, or which combatant to back.  Highly recommended.  Thomas Fleming, author of 1776: Year of Illusions Anyone who's ever lived in New York, or visited it, or thought about visiting it will be fascinated by this book.  Even historians will be surprised by some chapters.  Steven Jaffe has dug deep and come up with literary gold, again and again.  Tyler Anbinder, author of Five Points New York at War provides a fascinating look at a forgotten aspect of the city's history — its central role in so many of America's military conflicts.  Steven Jaffe brings this neglected aspect of New York's past back to life with impressive insight and a great eye for the telling details that make history come alive.  Eric Homberger, author of The Historical Atlas of New York City Steven H. Jaffe's vividly written narrative restores a crucial thread to the way we understand the history of New York City.  In a highly readable style, New York at War tells a story of tenacity and endurance, and of social conflict on a grand scale.  With a story filled with drama and the drum-beat of violence, culminating with the destruction of the World Trade Center, Jaffe has much to tell us about the way a city responds to crisis.  Edward P. Kohn, author of Hot Time in the Old Town

While most Americans probably see New York as America's capital of finance and fashion, Steven Jaffe shows how the city has also been the nation's epicenter during times of war.  While New York may have profited from America's many wars, it also proved the nation's most vulnerable city, subject to attack both from without and from within.  With an impressive span greater than that of the Brooklyn Bridge, New York at War reminds readers of Gotham's centrality in America's wartime experience from colonial times to 9/11.  A great idea for a book, masterfully done.  Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Well-researched, with a flair for the dramatic, and full of unexpected tidbits. Military buffs and New Yorkers will especially love it.  Publishers Weekly

[A] well-presented, fast-paced narrative of the ways a polyglot, protean community has reacted, and continues to react, to the periodic challenge of ensuing domestic security while maintaining commitments to openness and inclusion.

Library Journal, starred review Encyclopedic in scope, diligently researched, and well written, this magisterial book synthesizes the history of our greatest city in a way not fully done before. It will have strong appeal to general readers, New York history buffs, and specialists with an interest in American military history. Highly recommended.

New York Times

In New York at War& historian Steven H. Jaffe skillfully reminds readers that the city had been a tempting target before, that it suffered casualties in earlier conflicts and that other generations of officials worried about immigrants with dual loyalties and about balancing New Yorkers' security and their civil liberties.

Colloquy New York at War& is one bold undertaking& .[Jaffe] unfolds his story& in clear, no-nonsense prose.

Sacramento/San Francisco Book Review

[A] fascinating glimpse into an aspect of New York history that is often ignored or underplayed. Jaffe offers exacting details& giving valuable context to the spectacle and bombast of more commonplace historical reporting. New York at War sheds new light on a city we all know well.

Brooklyn Rail

Very informative& . New York at War will likely become the definitive work on this critical subject. It is a well-written, well-researched work, offering a compelling portrait of a defining aspect of the city's history. It draws on both scholarly and first-person accounts and, amidst a revealing, straight-forward narrative, introduces many almost forgotten New Yorkers. Readers will learn just how significant a role war has played in the life of Gotham.

Choice

[A] fascinating new study& . Jaffe's account is eminently readable and lively, filled with colorful stories (all precisely documented) — some well known, and others refreshingly novel. This is a must read& as no one has previously written a comprehensive study on this subject& . Essential.

Michigan War Studies Review

Steven Jaffe's New York at War is a boon to anyone concerned with war in the context of urban areas or urban areas in the context of politics and war. It captures the diversity of the wars New York has weathered& New York at War is an excellent addition to the literature of military history.