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How the English took Manhattan
Historian Russell Shorto reveals how Dutch pragmatism, English ambition, and a diverse cast of settlers shaped the foundation of Manhattan as we know it today
How did the English take Manhattan from the Dutch in the 17th century without firing a single shot? Speaking to Elinor Evans, historian Russell Shorto explains a many-layered colonial history, including pragmatic deals, personal rivalries, and ideological divides, that led to the ultimately peaceful takeover of New Amsterdam in 1664.
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Russell Shorto is the author of Taking Manhattan: The extraordinary events that created New York and shaped America (Swift Press, 2025)
