The Bowery: The Strange History of New York's Oldest Street

Author Stephen DeVillo has written quite a history of the famous (infamous)? Bowery located on the lower east side of Manhattan Island. The author goes back to the days of peg-leg Peter Stuyvesant up to the present-day with a renovation of sorts that has taken place. The Bowery was known as the street of forgotten souls where individuals who has lost their way in life ended up as derelicts. Author DeVillo gives history between the wars between the Dead Rabbits and the Plug Uglies, the days of Monk Eastman and the Five Point thugs, and other drug infested individuals that found a home on the Bowery.The author gives interesting anecdotes regarding the origination of expressions such as "flea market" which mentions that it originated in Paris with the sale of used mattresses with the word "mattress" being changed to "market." Also of interest is the chapter on tattoos and why they got them. Sailors got them as a sign of manliness to demonstrate their ability to withstand the pain of having a tattoo imprinted on their body. Some got a tattoo of Jesus on their back in hopes they wouldn't be subject to a flogging. It didn't work and neither did the belief that a tattoo would cure syphilis.The Bowery also became the site for freak shows of one kind or another to take place. Emphasis is also given to the history of Bowery dives such as McGurk's Suicide Hall and its infamous past. Laws now cannot deny city parks to the homeless and many who once lived in the Bowery now have found other places of residence. Famous individuals such as noted songwriter Stephan Foster spent their final days in the Bowery unable to adjust to the problems that life has thrown at them. Others such as singers Irving Berlin, Eddie Cantor, and Jimmy Durante got their start as singing waiters in the Bowery.The book contains two sections of eight photos each. I rate my four star rating on my interest level. However, I feel the author did his homework well enough to rate five stars.

I really enjoyed this book. Growing up in the outskirts of NYC the Bowery was just a story. This book contains so much detail that is clearly well researched. If you are interested in NYC or American history, this is a must read.

So, you think you know Manhattan cause you been living there all your life? You've been to the Bowery and the village - but what do you know about it's history? Fore hundred years of history as the first immigrants came from the Netherlands, pushing out the natives providing the anchor of what became Manhattan -the Bowery, as we know it today, started out as Bouwerie or farm in Dutch - As you read on, you'll discover what happened, then is exactly what's happening know - buy the book - It's a great read -

A subject you don't see much in books, so it was incredible to read the history of the Bowery.Highly recommend!

Chock full of interesting factoids and gives a long range history of America and New York via the story of an old old section of New York City. Some of the factoids are actually questionable, but nevertheless, it's an interesting read when you want to pick up a book for a brief way to pass time. Nice, easy style of writing, so very pleasant.

A Part of AmericaBorn in Brooklyn, and living in Far Rockaway until 1956, I only experienced Manhattan when my Mom took me there to visit. I never visited the Bowery.However, being the grandchild of Jewish immigrants from Europe to New York, I enjoyed the Yiddish connection. This is part of my heritage, and I will treasure it as long as I live.

I really enjoyed this book about the great and notorious Bowery neighborhood in New York. I strongly recommend this book.

I loved it. As a teenager and then in my twenties, heading from the safe suburbia of New Jersey to the Bowery to see a band play and get way too close to danger, this brought back memories. It also showed me a history that went back further than young (and stupid) me could ever imagine. A great, non-dangerous walk down a street I thought I knew well.

A very enjoyable book which I highly recommend you read.We have all heard of the Bowery and watching da Bowery boys at the Saturday matinee, this book brought it all to life. Couldn't put the book down well done Mr DeVillo

It is a journey from first nations selling Manhattan Island to urban renewal. The Bowery is famous for many things like vaudeville, nickleodens, gaslite, and more. In my opinion the writing lacked the witty style that another reviewer had mentioned. It is a good history book though and i liked it.

Had some nice anecdotes and stories but I think you need to have visited the Bowery to really get a sense of the geography.