Enchanted New York: A Journey along Broadway through Manhattan's Magical Past

Enchanted New York is a guidebook that explores the hidden history of New York's magical past, focusing on times and places that illuminate a forgotten and sometimes hidden history through site-specific stories of wizards, illuminati, fortune tellers, magicians, and more. It traces the arc of American technological alchemies, Mesmeric physicians, wonder-working Madame Blavatsky, and seers Helena Roerich and Alice Bailey.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 27 October 2020
Publisher: New York University Press

Enchanted New York: A Fantastical Field Guide to the Hidden History of Manhattan's Magical Past

Manhattan exudes an undeniable aura of glamour, a heightened sense of personality that stems from its cinematic, literary, and commercial fame, imbuing even the most ordinary of locales with a touch of the fantastical. This enchanting city has a rich and mysterious past, waiting to be uncovered.

Enchanted New York: A Fantastical Field Guide to the Hidden History of Manhattan's Magical Past takes readers on a captivating journey through an alternate history of this magical isle. It offers a guided tour along Broadway, focusing on times and places that shed light on a forgotten and sometimes hidden history of New York. Through site-specific stories of wizards, illuminati, fortune tellers, magicians, and more, this guidebook provides a unique perspective on the city's past.

As we progress up New York's central thoroughfare, Enchanted New York offers a history that surpasses the knowledge found in traditional guidebooks like Lonely Planet or Fodors. It traces the arc of American technological alchemies, from the pioneering work of Samuel Morse and Robert Fulton to the Manhattan Project, and even delves into the realm of Mesmeric physicians, wonder-working Madame Blavatsky, and seers Helena Roerich and Alice Bailey.

One of the intriguing aspects of this guidebook is its exploration of the disappearing acts of Harry Houdini, the legendary stage magician who captivated audiences with his awe-inspiring feats of prestidigitation. However, as we delve deeper, we discover that Houdini's magic is just a façade, masking a much more mysterious and meaningful marquee of magic.

Unlike old-world cities, New York lacks ancient monuments that commemorate its magical adolescence. There is no local memory embedded in the landscape, no myths of magical metamorphoses. Yet, as we journey with Kevin Dann, geographically and chronologically, up Broadway from Battery Park to Inwood, each chapter unveils a surprising portrait of a city whose fortunes have always been intertwined with magical activity.

Enchanted New York is a captivating exploration of the hidden corners of Manhattan's magical past. It offers a fresh perspective on the city's history, revealing the untold stories and mysteries that have shaped its identity. Whether you're a resident of New York or a curious traveler, this guidebook will transport you to a world where magic still thrives and where the ordinary becomes extraordinary.

Weight: 676g
Dimension: 159 x 236 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781479860227