Mapping the Story of an Island

Critically acclaimed author-illustrator Jennifer Thermes's Manhattan explores the 400+ year history of Manhattan Island, told in dazzling maps and informative sidebars. The island of Manhattan has always been a place of struggle, growth, and radical transformation, with humans, history, and natural events shaping this tiny sliver of land for more than 400 years.

In Manhattan, readers can travel back in time to discover how a small rodent began an era of rapid change for the island. They will learn about immigration, the slave trade, and the people who built New York City. The book also reveals how a street plan projected the city's future, and how epic fires and storms led to major feats of engineering above and below ground.

Through dramatic illustrations, informative sidebars, and detailed maps inspired by historic archives, Manhattan explores the rich history that still draws people from all around the world to the island's shores today. From The Battery downtown up to Inwood, every inch of the island has a story to tell.

Thermes, also a map illustrator, showcases her skills with detailed maps that reveal the origins of Broadway, Wall Street, and other landmarks. As described by Booklist in a starred review, this "slice of American history is a gem." Shelf Awareness, also in a starred review, calls it "a fascinating account of New York City's development from the time of the Lenape people to the present day."

From before its earliest settlement to the vibrant metropolis that exists today, Manhattan has been a place of transformation and resilience. Through the lens of this captivating book, readers can discover the rich tapestry of the island's past and understand how it has become the iconic city it is today.

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