num_pages: 495
description: For the bicentennial of its original publication--the 1st full-length book from the father of the American short story. In 1809, New Yorkers were buzzing about a series of classified ads concerning the whereabouts of Dutch historian Diedrich Knickerbocker. They were unaware that Washington Irving had invented the man entirely &amp; placed the ads himself. Knickerbocker's purported manuscript, A History of New York, was Irving's own. Told from Knickerbocker's point of view, A History of New York is a chronicle of New York's 50 years under Dutch rule in the 1600s that plays fast &amp; loose with the facts, to uproarious effect. Irving's good-humored spoofing had staying power. His satire provided the city with its 1st self-portrait. A History of New York propelled Irving to the heights of literary stardom &amp; even made a little history of its own: New Yorkers are called Knickerbockers to this day.
language: English
title: Diedrich Knickerbocker's A History of New-York
titlecomplete: Diedrich Knickerbocker's A History of New-York
genres: American, Reference, United States, Nonfiction, Humor, Literature, Classics, 19th Century, New York, History
ratings_count: 431
places: New York City, New York
publisher: Sleepy Hollow Press (Tarrytown, NY)