Down 42nd Street

From the Revolutionary War era to the shanty towns of the 19th century to the glory, deterioration, and “Disneyfication” of the street in the 20th Century, Down 42nd Street brings to vivid life the fascinating stories embedded in more than two centuries of cobblestone and pavement. Author Marc Eliot takes readers back in time to discover a battle-field from which General Washington was once forced to retreat that is now Bryant Park and evokes colorful images of the glittering days when West 42nd street was lined with bustling theaters. Packed with the unforgettable characters who once walked the street, including the famous, the notorious, the entrepreneurial, and the depraved, this colorful social history is a must for everyone who loves New York.