Rating: 
Summary: best read of the year
Review: I cannot rate this book too highly, I was so gripped by it I took most of a weekend off to read it, even taking it with me to read in the kitchen when I went to make a cup of tea or a meal. It combines fascinating insight into both early New York and early medical practise with a wonderfully 'big' dynastic story. There is plenty of intrigue, passion and action from family murders to pirates to terrifying operations without anaesthetic. It is the perfect book to curl up with and shut out the winter blues, or summer ones come to that.
Rating:
Summary: City of Dreams
Review: I couldn't put this book down. From the beginning to the very end I wasn't sure what was going to happen. What really struck me, was how the people at that time were able to survive under such conditions, especially during surgery. My advice, don't eat while you're reading the book. It's not too gory, just very real. As the characters are discovering things and going through the events of that time, you feel you're right there with them. Obviously, I highly reccomend it.
Rating:
Summary: The Greatest Read of All
Review: I didn't know what to expect of this book when I purchased it. I saw the words "historical novel" and I bought it. AM I GLAD!!!!I have never written a review of any book before and I suppose most everyone will be able to tell ... but, I am the average reader and I must speak out. I was absolutely fascinated with this novel. To tell you that I didn't want it to end would be an understatement. At first, I was somewhat unhappy about the way it would jump to the next generation, but, I got over it. I very much enjoy reading about how people lived centuries ago. It fascinates me to understand the living conditions, sanitary conditions, prejudices, desires, medical beliefs, etc. This novel left me wanting more. My only hope is that Ms. Swerling is quick to write another book.
Rating:
Summary: A compulsive and superbly written historical novel
Review: I found this book to be absolutely "unputdownable", a fascinating read presenting a vivid account of New York's genesis. It beautifully describes the trials and tribulations of the human experience during Nieuw Amsterdam's early years, and how the earliest pioneers' struggle for survival and prosperity formed the foundations of this mightiest of cities. While the author's careful research guarantees absolute historical authenticity, her fluid writing style and artful characterisation make potentially onerous historical information come alive as the human drama unfolds. There is - in my opinion - nothing stereotypical or awkward about either the content or the writing style. The medical accounts are extremely interesting, and make one thankful for the further development of "revolutionary" approaches in medicine, the beginnings of which are described so vividly in this book! A truly great read -I am about to re-read it, and I envy those coming to it for the first time! I very much look forward to more works from this exciting and enjoyable writer. Highly recommended!!
Rating:
Summary: Worth the Read
Review: I found this novel intriguing. I was initially dissapointed to discover that this novel jumped from generation to generation. I was so in love with the plot relating to Luke and Sally, I didn't want to care about their children. I wanted more about them. However, I soon found that as the Turner family grows so does this enthralling novel. I did not only meet 2 characters I could relate with in this novel, every chapter introduced new family members which lengthened the story, strengthening it and adding value. This novel includes a fascinating history of medicine and every day life in an extensive time period around New York City (City of Dreams.) It engages the reader with romance, adventure, and revenge. The reader watches as the characters grow and become more complex, and follow their fate with attention. Of course, everyone has their favorite character: Christopher and Lucas, Cuff, and Jennet. It may be a long novel, however, I could not put it down. I wanted more, and I hunger for just another chapter. As i moved on to other activities I couldn't help wondering what would have happened if the sega didn't end; imagine the possibilities. It makes one want to look into their own past. It may be long, but I owuld say it's WORTH THE READ.
Rating:
Summary: Worth the Read
Review: I found this novel intriguing. I was initially dissapointed to discover that this novel jumped from generation to generation. I was so in love with the plot relating to Luke and Sally, I didn't want to care about their children. I wanted more about them. However, I soon found that as the Turner family grows so does this enthralling novel. I did not only meet 2 characters I could relate with in this novel, every chapter introduced new family members which lengthened the story, strengthening it and adding value. This novel includes a fascinating history of medicine and every day life in an extensive time period around New York City (City of Dreams.) It engages the reader with romance, adventure, and revenge. The reader watches as the characters grow and become more complex, and follow their fate with attention. Of course, everyone has their favorite character: Christopher and Lucas, Cuff, and Jennet. It may be a long novel, however, I could not put it down. I wanted more, and I hunger for just another chapter. As i moved on to other activities I couldn't help wondering what would have happened if the sega didn't end; imagine the possibilities. It makes one want to look into their own past. It may be long, but I owuld say it's WORTH THE READ.
Rating:
Summary: A Magnificent Epic!
Review: I got City of Dreams from amazon.com (...). I found it to be a superbly written and vastly engaging book, centring on the stories of two feuding families from the earliest days of New York through to the aftermath of the American Revolution. While a book of epic proportions, the skilful development of characters and the seamless plot makes it thoroughly compulsive. The background research into New York's social and medical history is first rate, and provides a fascinating and evolving background to six generations of entrancing human drama. A truly magnificent book and a great read. Thoroughly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: It's amazing that we survived to tell the tale :)
Review: I really loved this book! The history of the City, the early medicine and surgical practices, and the characters made this an all around great read. It starts before the Revolutionary war and takes you through til' we won our Independence. You get insight into all kinds of different professions, including the "oldest profession in the world", and the characters are so well drawn that you become involved with them as well as the history. There are quite a few twists and turns which keep you turning the pages just to find out what happens next...and next...and next. This is an epic novel and worth every word. I also enjoyed, as an added bonus, finding out how Wall Street and Broadway and all of the other landmarks came into being. I found myself trying to picture it all in my head the way it was and the way it is today, knowing that we, as Americans, will do everything to put it all together. Then, as now, we are an amazing people! Enjoy, Debbi
Rating: 
Summary: Not for the faint-hearted
Review: I saw this book in a store in Scottsdale and thought I would give it a try. And it was good - it is a historical novel set in New York and the early history of the city is depicted well. I found the plot moved quickly but I did not find this a good thing. I wish the author had focused on a shorter time period so that it would have been possible to get to know the characters better - all we get is a thin veneer, no character depth. Incidentally, the description of surgical operations is very detailed and if you can't cope with blood and gore, then do not read this book! I actually fainted on the subway after reading one passage!
Rating: 
Summary: Surgery! Sex! Scalping! Warts, boils, pox and more!
Review: I thought this would be a good historical novel, and it WAS a compelling read, but mainly as a lurid potboiler. I couldn't put it down, actually. I am ashamed to admit that, but so be it. Some of the descriptions of surgeries without anesthesia were horrific, and far more graphic than necessary. And some characters were fully fleshed out (no pun intended) while other characters were left hanging (pun fully intended). But overall, a good and trashy imagining of early Manhattan under the Dutch and British.
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