‘Chronicles of Historic Brooklyn’ reveals fascinating, little-known facts about borough
Brooklyn is booming like never before. But many recently arrived Brooklynites know nothing about the borough’s history. Other Brooklynites, whose families have been in the borough for a long time, may want to know more about their past and to relive their memories.
Former Brooklyn Borough Historian John Manbeck’s “Chronicles of Historic Brooklyn,” a collection of columns he originally wrote for the Brooklyn Eagle, attempts to answer some questions about the borough. And in doing so, he goes way beyond the usual “Wasn’t it great to go to Ebbets Field” type of nostalgia. In fact, he isn’t afraid to go against conventional beliefs – for example, he implies that the low attendance at the aforementioned Ebbets Field contributed to the Brooklyn Dodgers’ decision to leave Brooklyn.
Manbeck will appear on “MetroFocus” to discuss his book on Wednesday night on WLIW at 7:30 p.m.; on Thirteen on Thursday at 8:30; and on NJTV on Thursday at 10:30 p.m.