Rating: 
Summary: Rivalry of healing arts juxtaposed in Old Nieuw Yorke
Review: Thanks to The Dollar Tree, I picked up this hardcover volume for a mere $1.00. I got much more than a dollar's worth, what with this roaring tale full of sex and gore, based on the early times of New York: from its time as New Amsterdam, through to its early independence immediately following the Revolutionary War. Such a saga set in early New York, Nieuw Amsterdam, the tale of the Turner siblings: Lucas and Sally, details their journey to a new world and their ambitions to make their fortune while facing torrid torments and rich surprises which lead from the time of the unwed siblings to the generations of their progeny. Their one time partnership ends bitterly when Lucas settles for money over blood, and the future of their offspring continues in a bittersweet rivalry, masking the true kinship of the original Turners. Each generation reflects the original severing of familly ties, without their full understanding of their integral links to one another. If you like a progressive tale of historical fiction that centers on the healing arts, this book is for you. For with Swerling's novel, one is placed on the spot with the butcher who becomes the barber who becomes the surgeon: the outcast healer who seeks to heal using the skills of the scalpel. This trail of medicine men meets its direct opposite in the work of the trained physicians, those who use the purges, blood-letting and cupping techniques to cure their patients' ailments. Both sets of healers often kill rather than cure. But between the two ironical representatives of the heirs of Lucas and Sally Turner, are the apothecaries, the herbalists, those who seek natural ways to eliminate pain and restore health. There is a fascinating history here of early colonial and Revolutionary life as well. The political ramifications of those who hold power and those who wish to hold it are explicit. And the characterizations of those who trade in illicit arms, goods, gaming and prostitution are vivid and sympathetic. This is a story of epic proportion and I am glad I had it to read this winter time. It is definitely X-rated in gore and sex. But it works! I have loved the other historical fiction novels of New York I have read that include "Forever" by Pete Hamill, "The Alienist" by Caleb Carr, and the progressive mysteries of MaanMeyers, aka Annette Myers: "The Dutchman", "The Dutchman's Dilemma", "The Kingsbridge Plot", "The High Constable" and the works of E. L. Doctorow. This novel by Barbara Swerling joins the others in fleshing out my background in the historical times of Manhattan. I recommend it!
Rating: 
Summary: A trifle lurid, but on the whole compelling and fascinating
Review: The best parts of CITY OF DREAMS left me with eye-opening ideas about what it must have been like to be in Manhattan in the early to mid-1700s. Too, I appreciated and enjoyed how the field of medicine, with its many purveyors (surgeons, barbers, physicians, apothecaries, etc.) advanced over time. All too slowly, unfortunately. Swerling's compulsion to include the most sensational events and characters is the only caveat here. It's possible that everything she writes about actually occurred, or events like them at any rate. But a little more restraint would have made the book a bit better, in my view. Still, it's a quibble, really. The story is intriguing, the family politics (as always) fascinating, the culture and geography of the city a revelation. Swerling's writing is sure-handed and deft. I truly enjoyed this book. Only the most over-the-top events shook me out of complete absorption.
Rating: 
Summary: Starts out good, goes downhill fast
Review: The first section of this book starts out interestingly enough, but just as you begin to know and care (albeit slightly) about the two main protagonists, you warp into another time zone a two generations in the future. The next batch of characters comes to the fore, only to be replaced in short order by others. The cycle continues, without ever really developing anyone's character.
Even when you do learn more about them, you don't CARE about them or their problems. They are all either thoroughly unpleasant ... or they are victims.
The fact is, according to this book, just about everyone in New York at that period was greedy, selfish, corrupt or perverse. Wives killed their husbands, husbands beat their wives. White, black and red savages. Stupid and heartless medical doctors (okay, that one I can believe). Rape. Murder. Torture. And the author seemed to relish serving up as much graphic sex and violence as she could.
If the story had been set in contemporary times, the book would have been considered a big trashy "Peyton Place" wannabe. But because the author threw in just about everything she ever read or heard about early New York (far TOO much!), it's acclaimed as a great historical novel.
But to me, a novel's greatness isn't measured by how many historical facts and anecdotes you can jam into 600 pages. It's measured by the empathy you have for the main characters, and the insights it offers into human nature and the human condition. By those criteria, the book fails miserably.
Rating:
Summary: had great potential, but.....
Review: This book had great potential. I loved the concept, the history, and the roots of medical science angle. Unfortunately, what was supposed to be an epic, multigenerational plot, became one rediculous tangent after another (especially the buried treasure thread). 2/3 of the way through the book, the story screeched to a crawl. The book became a collection of trite and profane period dialog, lurid behavior, and every gory thing that can be done to a human body described in gross detail. I'm not a prude, but this story was so base, I couldn't get over the fact that a woman wrote it. Read Thom's "Red Heart" instead!
Rating:
Summary: A really excellent read!
Review: This book has great historical background, well-rounded characters and a cracking plot. I couldn't put it down! Well written and great fun. Read it!
Rating: 
Summary: Good but not great
Review: This book is certainly a long read and has a complex mix of characters that and is certainly not aimed at the casual reader. Being a long book is certainly make take some time to get through, although you would be well advised not be reading other novels at the same time, because with so many characters whose lives are intertwined makes it important to pay attention! I thought it well written historical novel, but felt that it does not need to be as long as it is, as the character development and plot slowed near the end.
Rating:
Summary: A Must-Read!
Review: This engrossing title has been added to my Top 10 List!
Riveting detail about early New York as well as the medical profession will hook you! Beautifully written-the kind of book that, when you finish it, you have a sad sense of loss.
Rating:
Summary: History in a readable, informative and entertaining form.
Review: This historical novel takes the reader on a tour of the construction of New York City from the earliest 'paths' to avenues. It's mystifying to see our theater district called The Broad Way. Written by Beverly Swerling in a scholarly fashion in easy to read prose and based on extensive research in various historical collections available, it shows how life was not easy for those involved. She uncovered the 18th century 'world of wonders' preserved in a fragile condition, used actual records of the first hospital in New Amsterdam, and -- in the modern sense -- used research obtained on the Internet. An old Native American belief: The old prevent the young from straying off the path of wisdom. The young yearn after the path of dreams. Between the two there is truth. CITY OF DREAMS is a stirring saga of early Manhattan and the beginnings of medical science in this country. It follows several generations of the Turner Family (and their slaves), all involved in different forms of health care. Especially interesting is the way cocaine was used as a healing aid, similar to the way marijuana was touted to work some years ago. And the manner in which seaweed was used by the young Irish healer was something else. The romance between her and Morgan Turner, the pirate/rebel spy, was reminiscent of Rosemary Rogers' first impressionable novel about another Morgan, Steve, and Ginny -- way back in 1977.
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Historical Fiction Starring New York City
Review: This is a terrific novel that begins in the Dutch Colonial period when New York City was New Amsterdam and continues until just after the American Revolution. Swerling's story is filled with interesting characters, some sympathetic and others appalling, but all of whom are captivating. She tells the story of our great city through the lives, loves and adventures of several families whose members are surgeons (barbers), medical doctors (physics) or pharmacists (apothecaries). That these families include African and African-American slaves is especially satisfying and I learned a great deal about the interactions between whites and blacks in the early days of our nation. (Sadly, in some respects, not a lot has changed.) I especially enjoyed the early chapters of the book that focus on the Dutch and the role of those settlers in forming the character of NYC -- many aspects of which endure today. And if you live in the city as I do, you will probably also enjoy knowing where some of the key colonial landmarks were located and what has happened to them over the centuries. In short, this is a highly entertaining book whether or not you are a New Yorker, as it offers an interesting plot line, believable characters and what seems to me a realistic window on life in colonial America.
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Historical Fiction Starring New York City
Review: This is a terrific novel that begins in the Dutch Colonial period when New York City was New Amsterdam and continues until just after the American Revolution. Swerling's story is filled with interesting characters, some sympathetic and others appalling, but all of whom are captivating. She tells the story of our great city through the lives, loves and adventures of several families whose members are surgeons (barbers), medical doctors (physics) or pharmacists (apothecaries). That these families include African and African-American slaves is especially satisfying and I learned a great deal about the interactions between whites and blacks in the early days of our nation. (Sadly, in some respects, not a lot has changed.) I especially enjoyed the early chapters of the book that focus on the Dutch and the role of those settlers in forming the character of NYC -- many aspects of which endure today. And if you live in the city as I do, you will probably also enjoy knowing where some of the key colonial landmarks were located and what has happened to them over the centuries. In short, this is a highly entertaining book whether or not you are a New Yorker, as it offers an interesting plot line, believable characters and what seems to me a realistic window on life in colonial America.
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