Helluva Town the Story of New York City During World War Ii Review Publisher Informatiojn

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Get-go your review of Helluva Town: The Story of New York Metropolis During World War Two

Apr xx, 2018 Paul Hasbrouck rated it really liked information technology

I accept read a great deal about WWII, just this excellent book details a lot untold stories most the cracking city of New York, during the conflict. The reader will larn of the millions of soldiers that left the states through the port, the ships that were built and repaired in the Brooklyn Naval Yards, the theaters, the shows, the nighttime clubs filled the dim-out urban center with entertainment for soldiers and civilians alike. One of my favorite stories is about the small drug company, Pifzer, who became a I have read a cracking bargain about WWII, simply this excellent book details a lot untold stories near the keen city of New York, during the disharmonize. The reader volition learn of the millions of soldiers that left the states through the port, the ships that were built and repaired in the Brooklyn Naval Yards, the theaters, the shows, the night clubs filled the dim-out city with amusement for soldiers and civilians akin. One of my favorite stories is about the modest drug company, Pifzer, who became a key player in the mass product of that new miracle drug-PENICILLIN. From information technology'south modest constitute in Brooklyn, it's deep fermentation procedure, Pifzer would send millions of doses to the battlefronts around the globe to relieve the wounded. In that location are stories of the dark side of the war: the crushing of Axis spy rings, murders, anti-Semitic attacks, and in 1943 a race ripped through Harlem.
By the end of the volume New York has risen to one of the most powerful cities on Earth, only withal filled with center to welcome both the returning G.I'due south and then to award the fallen that helped to save globe. A great read. ...more than

A Somewhat "Ho-Hum" Tale of the "City that Never Sleeps" ..., May 31, 2011
can home-front end during World War Ii, I immediately conjure up images of the small-scale rural towns that sacrificed and so many of its young men to the war and inevitably, New York City, the iconic symbol of American ability, liberty and prestige. I was eager to read HELLUVA TOWN equally a means of illustrating how this magnificent metropolis and its millions forged through such a tumultuous period of fourth dimension and arguably emerge equally the nearly importan A Somewhat "Dull" Tale of the "City that Never Sleeps" ..., May 31, 2011
can domicile-front end during Globe War II, I immediately conjure up images of the small rural towns that sacrificed and so many of its immature men to the war and inevitably, New York City, the iconic symbol of American power, freedom and prestige. I was eager to read HELLUVA Boondocks every bit a means of illustrating how this magnificent city and its millions forged through such a tumultuous period of fourth dimension and arguably emerge every bit the almost important city in the world. While Goldstein's volume does provide an adequate and interesting overview of the urban center's life during the war, I was a piffling disappointed in that the book never delivered the zeal and fascination I anticipated.

Goldstein starts by providing a pre-state of war overview of New York City by introducing its domineering wartime mayor, Fiorello La Guardia and giving u.s.a. a glimpse of what seemed to be a rather sleepy urban center at the fourth dimension. Once war breaks out in Europe, notwithstanding, it seems the city starts to awaken and the "bustle" the commonly characterizes New York begins to have shape. While at that place was a general lull throughout the Us between Germany's invasion of Poland in 1939 and the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, American port cities in the east were already in defensive war due to the German U-Boat scourge in the Atlantic and New York was at the center of the activeness. Some of the most interesting segments in HELLUVA TOWN are events occurring during this period. I found the incidents of U-Boats silently creeping off the shores of the harbor to unload German spies on New York's shores quite intriguing, especially the recollections provided by those who were involved. Simply, following the assail on Pearl Harbor, when one would expect New York Metropolis to kick into high gear, the book, for the near part, falls apartment. Certain, there are some exciting instances such as the burn down that destroyed the French luxury liner/soon-to-be troopship SS Normandie in the New York harbor. The riots in Harlem and the B-25 bomber that crashed into the Empire Country Edifice are two other events that I found quite captivating. For the most part, however, I never felt the excitement and energy the urban center must have exhibited by being a major send-off point for millions of GIs heading to North Africa and Europe. I was hoping for more recollections of soldiers' experiences in the metropolis prior to being shipped off ... specially from those who lived in small rural towns seeing New York for the kickoff time. Most of the recollections are from New Yorkers themselves and while their input is essential in this story, a great bargain of rest could accept been added with contributions of outsiders visiting the city during this fourth dimension. From what it appears, New Yorkers pretty much took Earth War II in stride, every bit the accounts of the VE and VJ Day celebrations never conveyed the jubilation and relief that pictures of those events reveal. The most poignant and fitting part of the entire book is its catastrophe, with the war being over, the confetti and ticker-tape gone, the crowds of civilians and returning veterans have disbursed to their peacetime worlds and a lone troopship quietly docks in the harbor. On lath this ship are the bodies of American servicemen coming home from the battlefields of Europe. Goldstein does a magnificent job in relaying the somber procession of the flag draped bury of a Medal of Honor recipient (symbolically representing all the deceased on the ship) being respectfully marched off the ship and down a primary street before a silent, but growing crowd of those paying their respects ... a sober reminder of the existent toll New York paid for the war.

Having seen numerous LIFE magazine pictures over the years characterizing the city as being the heart and soul of America during World War Two, I wanted to feel that exuberance when reading. HELLUVA Town is an interesting account of New York City during the war, but it never delivered the power I was expecting. In the end though, maybe I'yard guilty of letting my imagination build New York City equally being more heady that information technology really was during Globe War II and, in reality, information technology was no different from any other American urban center/town ... but somehow, I don't call up then.

...more

If you lot love NYC, the Big Apple tree, Baghdad on the Hudson, you will love her even more later a romp through this discussion picture of the urban center during WWII. NYC was buzzing with activity from the outfitting of ships in the navy yards to the Broadway plays dedicated to patriotic themes; air raid alerts which no New Yorker acknowledged (no ane would accept the nervus to bomb NYC); Mayor La Guardia grabbing headlines scampering about in his fire fighter'south uniform; the thousands of soldiers and sailors who descended If you dear NYC, the Big Apple, Baghdad on the Hudson, you lot will love her even more after a romp through this word picture of the city during WWII. NYC was buzzing with activity from the outfitting of ships in the navy yards to the Broadway plays dedicated to patriotic themes; air raid alerts which no New Yorker acknowledged (no one would take the nervus to flop NYC); Mayor La Guardia grabbing headlines scampering about in his fireman's uniform; the thousands of soldiers and sailors who descended upon the urban center prior to shipping out to Europe; the nightclub scene and buffet society which continued to proliferate; the Phase Door Bottle: and the American Bund of Nazi sympathizers who met in Madison Square Garden.
It's a fascinating await at the world'southward most fascinating city. ...more than

Sep 04, 2017 Maura rated it liked information technology

This is a nice collection of stories about various aspects of New York City during WWII. You don't need to exist a history buff to enjoy this volume. The chapters are adequately short and can be read by and large independently, so you can dip in and out of the sections according to your interests. They are grouped by topic, such as The Threat (every bit the US entered the war), The Harbor, The Stage, The Nighttime, etc. He tells the sometimes laughable plans for air raid warnings and other civil defenses. At that place are stori This is a prissy collection of stories about various aspects of New York Metropolis during WWII. You don't need to be a history buff to enjoy this book. The chapters are fairly short and can exist read mostly independently, then you can dip in and out of the sections co-ordinate to your interests. They are grouped by topic, such as The Threat (as the US entered the war), The Harbor, The Stage, The Dark, etc. He tells the sometimes laughable plans for air raid warnings and other civil defenses. There are stories virtually U-boats lurking close to the harbor, spies coming ashore on Long Isle in the dead of night, and U.s. Naval Intelligence request the Mafia for assistance fighting demolition on the docks. The Phase section gives a lot of back stories near people who would go on after the war to get stars of stage and screen, and has but as many tales of those who were famous at the time. The Tensions department is virtually the many incidents of discrimination based on race, religion or national background; sad to say this department sounded almost as if it had been ripped from a recent news circulate. ...more

More a collection of imagery and highlights than an exhaustive account or "street-level" view. If y'all're already passingly familiar with wartime New York, this book won't offer whatever revelations, and if you want to become deeper I suggest looking elsewhere. However, for what it is it'southward well written and somewhat nuanced (though not as much as I'd like). All in all, a decent primer, but not what I wanted. More a collection of imagery and highlights than an exhaustive account or "street-level" view. If you're already passingly familiar with wartime New York, this book won't offering any revelations, and if you want to become deeper I suggest looking elsewhere. All the same, for what information technology is information technology'due south well written and somewhat nuanced (though not as much as I'd like). All in all, a decent primer, simply not what I wanted. ...more

Jul 10, 2018 Kathleen rated it really liked it

I'g not much of a non fiction reader but this was an interesting account of NYC during WW2. It covers all aspects of the war on lodge so it's an interesting read nigh civilisation, non only military history.

Jul 08, 2017 Jenny Due east rated information technology really liked it

And then much information. I enjoyed it, but I was sometimes overwhelmed by information technology. I will probably read it again. I like history.

A fascinating history of NYC during WW2.

Sep 05, 2010 Grace rated it it was amazing

Richard Goldstein's "Helluva Boondocks: The Story of New York City During World War II" is a fascinating account of every day life for civilian and soldiers living and traveling through New York City during World War II. Goldstein touches upon the Nazi groups working to infiltrate and indoctrinate citizens, German and Russian spy rings, the collaboration of the Mafia and U.S. Navy to secure New York harbor, the role of actors and musicians in entertaining and boosting the morale of soldiers on their Richard Goldstein's "Helluva Town: The Story of New York Metropolis During World War Ii" is a fascinating account of every solar day life for civilian and soldiers living and traveling through New York City during World State of war II. Goldstein touches upon the Nazi groups working to infiltrate and indoctrinate citizens, German and Russian spy rings, the collaboration of the Mafia and U.S. Navy to secure New York harbor, the role of actors and musicians in entertaining and boosting the morale of soldiers on their mode through to war or back dwelling again, as well as the role of penicillin in saving the loves of many wounded soldiers. And and then much more.

Goldstein's writing style is crisp and melodic. It is piece of cake to get caught upwards in his narrative and with the story itself. These are the things often left out of history lessons merely would make history more than interesting if they were included. I highly recommend this book to whatever reader who is fifty-fifty remotely interested in the story of New York City during World War Two and the urban center'south transformation from a U.S. city to the earth's capital letter.

...more

January 07, 2017 WW2 Reads rated information technology actually liked it

An enjoyable read about the history of NYC during the 2nd World War. Goldstein does attempt a very broad sweep which encompasses war machine history, metropolis history and political history. His primary focus is the military and perhaps as well much time on the "feelgood" parts of this tumultuous period and not every bit much on those who were against the war or lived through very difficult times during these years, though he does practise justice to the 1943 Harlem Riot.[return][return]When i finishes the book, on An enjoyable read nearly the history of NYC during the 2d Globe State of war. Goldstein does attempt a very broad sweep which encompasses military history, urban center history and political history. His primary focus is the military and perchance too much time on the "feelgood" parts of this tumultuous period and not every bit much on those who were against the state of war or lived through very hard times during these years, though he does practise justice to the 1943 Harlem Riot.[render][render]When ane finishes the book, one feels as though there is then much more that could accept been said on the topic and that in that location is perchance some other book contained within entitled "The History of the Armed services in NYC During World State of war II".[return][return]Nonetheless, there are many entertaining anecdotes and memories recounted by those who lived through them and it is certainly worth a read for anyone who loves the city. ...more

Dec xxx, 2011 TR Peterson rated it actually liked it

An enjoyable read about the history of NYC during the Second World State of war. Goldstein does attempt a very broad sweep which encompasses military history, urban center history and political history. His primary focus is the military and perhaps likewise much time on the "feelgood" parts of this tumultuous period and not as much on those who were against the war or lived through very difficult times during these years, though he does do justice to the 1943 Harlem Riot.[render][render]When one finishes the book, on An enjoyable read about the history of NYC during the 2nd World War. Goldstein does try a very broad sweep which encompasses armed forces history, metropolis history and political history. His chief focus is the military and possibly also much fourth dimension on the "feelgood" parts of this tumultuous period and not as much on those who were against the war or lived through very difficult times during these years, though he does do justice to the 1943 Harlem Anarchism.[return][return]When one finishes the book, ane feels as though there is and then much more that could take been said on the topic and that at that place is perhaps another book contained within entitled "The History of the Military in NYC During World War II".[return][render]Nonetheless, there are many entertaining anecdotes and memories recounted by those who lived through them and it is certainly worth a read for anyone who loves the city. ...more

Interesting book with a cracking deal of detail almost certain events in the war years in New York City. Many little known points are brought out with a level of clarity and verve that makes the reading quite flawless. Except for midway through the book where information technology takes a plough onto the entertainment industry in New York, and gets mired down with how they contributed to the war effort, the story hither seems to drag on an on. But After the exhausting detour, Mr. Goldstein gets right dorsum on track with in Interesting book with a peachy deal of detail about sure events in the state of war years in New York Metropolis. Many little known points are brought out with a level of clarity and verve that makes the reading quite flawless. Except for midway through the book where information technology takes a turn onto the entertainment industry in New York, and gets mired down with how they contributed to the war effort, the story here seems to drag on an on. Merely After the exhausting detour, Mr. Goldstein gets right back on track with interesting points and events that behave the book to its satisfying conclusion. I enjoyed the book overall immensely. ...more

Sep 14, 2013 Andrew rated it liked it

For those of united states whose parents grew up in New York in the 30's and twoscore's, they shared a nostalgia for the metropolis that ran deep. Richard Goldstein describes the city during the war years from many vantage points, rounding out the perspective many of us got, though Goldstein'due south amore for the city comes through.

While not offering some broader historical concept or theme, the book is certainly engaging, with many stories worth reading.

For those of us whose parents grew up in New York in the 30'south and 40's, they shared a nostalgia for the city that ran deep. Richard Goldstein describes the city during the war years from many vantage points, rounding out the perspective many of u.s.a. got, though Goldstein's affection for the city comes through.

While non offering some broader historical concept or theme, the book is certainly engaging, with many stories worth reading.

...more

Aug 15, 2011 Shelley rated information technology really liked it

World State of war II from New York City'due south perspective. Definitely interesting to read almost the war preparations - the boot camps, the harbors, the blackouts, etc. Something new I learned was that Chicago had an internment jail for Chicagoans who were Japanese, German and Italian. My favorite bits by far were the Stage Door Canteen, USO and Broadway chapters. World War 2 from New York Urban center's perspective. Definitely interesting to read about the war preparations - the kicking camps, the harbors, the blackouts, etc. Something new I learned was that Chicago had an internment jail for Chicagoans who were Japanese, German and Italian. My favorite bits by far were the Phase Door Canteen, USO and Broadway chapters. ...more

May 25, 2013 Judith Singer rated information technology did not like it

Useless. A collection of unrelated accounts of various activities in NYC during WWII, with undue accent on actors and musicians, and no structure to give overall meaning to the stories. The stories do not even add any new insights or gems of data.

May 09, 2010 Al Berg rated it really liked it

Anecdotal history of the greatest city in the globe during WW II (the Big Ane). A low-cal read - provides a lot of interesting details about how life in NYC was affected past the state of war.

Although this book purports to be nearly New York City, information technology is much more about life on the home front during Globe War Two.

Don't expect annihilation besides academic here. It'due south a nice overview - heavy on the entertainment industry on NYC during WWII. That's information technology. A nice "doctor's office" read. Don't look anything too academic here. It's a nice overview - heavy on the entertainment industry on NYC during WWII. That's it. A squeamish "doctor'south office" read. ...more

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