The Village: 400 Years of Beats and Bohemians, Radicals and Rogues, a History of Greenwich Village Paperback – Illustrated, August 26, 2014

I've been SO enjoying learning about my neighborhood's history in the century/decades before my arrival (the 1970s) as well as strolling down Memory Lane vis-à-vis the years since, in such rich detail! I haven't finished it yet, in fact I haven't been reading it completely in order--I find myself spending a fair amount of time perusing the index. :) But so far, everything I've looked for has been included with only one exception: Adam Purple and the Purple People. But this omission is more than made up for by all the information I'd never known before! The photos are great, too.

It took me awhile to read - stop and start.You’ll find many people lived in Greenwich Village - including W.B. Auden whom I love,But with that said -If this is your things — just lots and lots and lots of names of the people who made this place.From some of the first famous like Walt Whitman all the way through the 1970s endWhen economics changed it for good.1960s and 1950s info was interesting.

I LOVE this book! It is so interesting and entertaining. I definitely recommend it to anyone who has been to the Village or lives in the NYC area.

As a Village resident for three decades now, living in a small little “Carriage House” on Charles Street, more than once people knocked on my door and shared with me the history of my home and neighborhood as in “Bette Midler lived here” or “Mel Torme and Peggy Lee had a fling here.” Probably true, and this fascinating compilation of personalities and stories dating from before New York was New York is a very readable and engaging. The Village was always a Village - a magnet for creative types and always a happening place. Whether it will remain so as most mortals are priced out these days remains to be seen.

I really enjoyed this book. The author, John Strausbaugh, kept it interesting with the history and the eccentric characters from the 19th century on through the early 21st century. They're all present...the first people who settled there, the starving artists, the radicals, alternative lifestyles, the musicians, the entrepreneurs, and the nut jobs. The story he presents has an arch that's not just about The Village but about how time marches on and how things do change. I've lived in New York all my life so I appreciate the great job he did portraying a crazy, vibrant part of this city. Recommended.

This is a wonderful read. So detailed and colorful. Right from the early immigrants of the Village to the present day. So many artists, musicians and writers are highlighted along the way. If you want an enjoyable and thoughtful read on the history of The Village I highly recommend it. Can hardly wait till the pandemic is over to travel back and go to Village Vanguard , Kettle of Fish and other haunts. Love this book

Book arrived quickly in "new" condition, but while it was described as last-available "hardcover," I received a paperback--unpriced and some two months before the softcover version was/is due out.

I cannot image a more thorough and engaging book coming out about about GV. I have lived there for almost forty years and am quite knowledgeable about the area. But this book is so loaded with insights and details that it nothing short of mind blowing. I simply cannot imagine how the author managed to research and organize the material he has presented. I especially appreciate the specific address and dates of who-lived-where and when. Each section is loaded with short biographies of an incredible cast of characters. A great big thanks to Mr. Strausbaugh for the hundreds (thousands) of hours it must have taken to pull this off. Very much recommended for anyone who wants to learn about GV...or, actually, the history of America. What happend in GV filtered out to the rest of the country and for that reason alone, it is a must read.

Great narrative. Compelling story.

This was a Xmas present which was very much appreciate.