Tales of New York: Some Will Surprise You

by John Keatts

You know our landmarks. This book highlights the people involved, the emotions and events that drove them. In some cases, it is circumstance or chance; others involve ego, poverty, revenge, or simply ability to see the future and the genius to create it... A poor farm boy who began a simple ferry boat service, and became a millionaire A renowned bridge-builder whose work on a statue would change his life A newspaper man who seized an opportunity A man whose building forced our skyline upward These are some of the Tales of New York.

152 pages, Paperback

First published May 4, 2007

Reviews

[Scott Klemm · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a resident of the West Coast, I did not know a lot about New York City. I found John Keatts’ “Tales of New York: Some Will Surprise You,” fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable. Although not a scholarly work with footnotes, it’s full of interesting and little known tidbits about the city’s history. As a licensed NYC tour guide for over 20 years, Mr. Keats is well qualified to write about his city.

I found the many etymology references (i.e. word origins) especially interesting. For example, the name Manhattan comes from an Indian word meaning “Island of Hills,” although a tourist will be hard pressed to find any of these hills today. The term “wop,” a derogatory name for Italians, had its origin on Ellis Island where those without papers had the letters WOP marked on their chest with white chalk. And, the name Bowery (an area of the lower East Side) was originally “bouwerie” meaning “farm” in Dutch. At one time the area had a seedy reputation and was known for its many flophouses. Flophouse got its name in 1897 when the city passed a law prohibiting the sale of alcohol on Sundays. An exception was made for hotels that had 10 or more beds. This prompted Bowery taverns to put beds in one or two upper rooms where those who had too much to drink could find a place to “flop” down for 25 cents a night.

Keatts’ book provides a differing answer to the question I heard as a child, “Who was buried in Grant’s Tomb?” Many thinking it a trick question replied they didn’t know only to feel quite sheepish when told the answer – GRANT. However, Keatts says the correct answer is “No one. But he’s there.” According to Keatts, a tomb is below ground, and Grant is above ground in a mausoleum. In fact the structure’s proper name is The Grant National Memorial.

[Marilyn Lagier · Rating 3 out of 5]

We received this book on a New York tour in 2010. The author was our bus tour guide. He is very knowledgeable about his adopted city. There are lots of little surprises about New York in the book.