New York - Episode 1

I have a deep and abiding love for New York City, the greatest city in the world. Its a tale of a city unlike any other. Founded in 1624 by the Dutch is was called New Amsterdam and was set up primarily as a money making colony. What is amazing is the way that that desire to make a buck seemed to trump things like loyalty to the mother country or racism. When a group of Jews came to the city seeking safety from the Spanish Inquisition they were allowed to stay (a highly unusual move for the times) because the Dutch West Indies Company was reluctant to deny anyone the opportunity to work and prosper in their new colony. Slaves and the destruction of the native cultures was also an unavoidable part of the city's development. This 8 part documentary by Ken Burns was made before 9/11 so the Twin Towers are still standing and Rudy Giuliani is the mayor. In this way the story has a pogniancy about it. I hope that bit torrent posts all eight parts. I love stories like the one about how the night before the Stamp Act was to be put in effect, the citizens of New York burned the Governor of the colony in effigy and of course after which they burned his carriage. Just as one would burn cars in celebration after a sport team's victory today.