“A commanding and inspiring biography of a river that gave rise to an art movement, progressive social quests, [and] landmark environmental cases.” —Booklist (starred review) Includes maps, photos, and illustrations Frances F. Dunwell presents a rich portrait of the Hudson and of the visionary people whose deep relationship with the river inspired changes in American history and culture. Lavishly illustrated with color plates of Hudson River School paintings, period engravings, and glass plate photography, The Hudson captures the spirit of the river through the eyes of its many admirers. It reveals the crucial role of the Hudson in the shaping of Manhattan, the rise of the Empire State, and the trajectory of world trade and global politics, as well as the river’s influence on art and architecture, engineering, and conservation. “A story of interaction between people and the environment and a story of continuing inspiration and renewal.” —Library Journal Frances F. Dunwell Presents A Rich Portrait Of The Hudson And Of The Visionary People Whose Deep Relationship With The River Inspires Changes In American History And Culture. Lavishly Illustrated With Color Plates Of Hudson River School Paintings, Period Engravings, And Glass Plate Photography, The Hudson Captures The Spirit Of The River Through The Eyes Of Its Many Admirers. It Shows The Crucial Role Of The Hudson In The Shaping Of Manhattan, The Rise Of The Empire State, And The Trajectory Of World Trade And Global Politics, As Well As The River's Influence On Art And Architecture, Engineering, And Conservation.-- Prologue : River Of Imagining, People Of Passion And Dreams -- World's End, World Trade, World River : Henry Hudson's Failed Quest, Adriaen Van Der Donck's Utopian Vision, And The Legend Of The Storm Ship -- The River That Unites, The River That Divides : King George And George Washington Vie For The Hudson -- America's River Of Empire : Robert Fulton's Folly, Robert Livingston's Venture Capital, And Dewitt Clinton's Ditch Spark The Rise Of New York Port -- First Stop On The American Tour : Europe Discovers Sylvanus Thayer's West Point, A Catskills Sunrise, And A River That Defines The American Character -- America's First Artists And Writers : The Sacred River Of Thomas Cole, The Mythic River Of Washington Irving And James Fenimore Cooper -- The Industrialized River : Gouverneur Kemble's Weapon Works, Henry Burden's Iron Foundries, And Colonel Stevens's Engine Factory -- Going Up The River For Health And Fun : New York City Journalist N.p. Willis Survives Tb And Discovers An Idle Wild -- Design With Nature : The Landscape Gardens Of A.j. Downing, The Architecture Of A.j. Davis, And The Inspiration For Central Park And Riverside Drive -- Gateway To America, Escape Route To Canada : Immigrants Greet A Beacon Of Liberty, John Jervis Creates A New River Route, And A Railroad Goes Underground -- Millionaires' Row : The River Castles Of J.p. Morgan, John D. Rockefeller, Jay Gould, And Frederic Church, And The Floating Palaces Of Manhattan's West Side -- A Forest To Protect A Commercial River : Land Surveyor Verplanck Colvin, Photographer Seneca Ray Stoddard, And The New York Board Of Trade Campaign To Safeguard The Hudson In The Adirondacks -- An Interstate Park For The Palisades And The Highlands And A New Progressive Vision : Elizabeth Vermilye's Women's Clubs, Edward And Mary Harriman's Park, Mrs. Olmsted's Fresh Air Camp, And Margaret Sage's Charity -- Over, Under, Across, And Through : Civil Engineers Triumph Over Nature, Except In New York Harbor -- Surviving The Depression, Connecting With Nature : Fdr's River Of Dignity, Robert Moses's Riverside Drive, And John D. Rockefeller Jr.'s Parkway -- The 1960s : Scenic Hudson, Riverkeeper, Clearwater, And The Nature Convervancy Campaign To Save A Mountain And Revive A Dead River -- Epilogue : A River Of Power, And The Power Of Passion. Frances F. Dunwell ; [foreword By Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.]. Updated And Expanded Ed. Of: The Hudson River Highlands. 1991. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [333]-344) And Index.
Frances F. Dunwell presents a rich portrait of the Hudson and of the visionary people whose deep relationship with the river inspires changes in American history and culture. Lavishly illustrated with color plates of Hudson River School paintings, period engravings, and glass plate photography, The Hudson captures the spirit of the river through the eyes of its many admirers. It shows the crucial role of the Hudson in the shaping of Manhattan, the rise of the Empire State, and the trajectory of world trade and global politics, as well as the river's influence on art and architecture, engineering, and conservation.
Publishers Weekly
Dunwell, who has worked for 30 years to conserve the Hudson and its cultural heritage, tells the story of the magical river that has been central to New York's power and to the history of the United States. Beginning with the Native Americans who lived near the Hudson, Dunwell follows the river through the centuries, describing the painters-like Thomas Cole-who found in the river inspiration for great art and the Civilian Conservation Corps's work to build recreational facilities during the Great Depression. Covering the Hudson through space as well as time, Dunwell ranges from the building of the Erie Canal to the erection of the Statue of Liberty, and the Gilded Age estates of J.P. Morgan and Jay Gould. She pays particular attention to the tension between harnessing the Hudson's economic potential and preserving its natural beauty. Dunwell indulges in grandiose statements (the river's forts assume the importance of Grecian temples) and boosterism (Can a person make a difference? The answer is yes). But with the book's dozens of illustrations and a moving foreword by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as bonuses, people who love the Hudson will love this book. (Apr.)
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