The Measure of Manhattan
The title of this book is a little misleading since the book is not all about Manhattan, it is about John Randel Jr.
The beginning in particular is packed with interesting facts for American history lovers. For example, who knew that Warwarsing, NY, was a hub of culture with connections to Abraham Lincoln and Dewitt Clinton? Who remembers that Blacks and some women could vote before 1807 in New Jersey?

The DeWitt and Clinton families were close to being early American royalty, well-connected and making their fortunes in surveying and government, using their knowledge of the land and laws in the newly-formed country to obtain valuable real estate, design infrastructure, and turn a profit for themselves.

Simeon DeWitt made maps of his surveys in the old style, with notes and pictures of the flora and fauna he found as he traveled on foot across most of New York State and writing that he "wore a piece off my toe in walking too much". The Randel family and the DeWitts were close, having served in the Revolutionary War together.. The families were so bound together in friendship and admiration that they kept close ties in marriage and business, even naming children for their close friends. During the early 1800s, the Randels sent brilliant young John Randel Jr. to learn surveying and cartography by accompanying the master, Simeon DeWitt. The need for more exact measurements after property line disputes led to young Randel’s inventing and manufacturing instruments for that specific purpose.
It seems unimaginable to us now that streets on the island of Manhattan would be laid out in anything but a grid, but all options were on the table when that island was developing from a little Dutch settlement on the southern tip of the island and spreading north into the open land that still existed there. There is discussion in the book of the changes in elevation of the island, both natural and man-made, and the designers of the great city could not decide whether to leave the hills that were already there or to flatten out the topography. Fresh water and salt water on and around the island have had their courses changed over time. Alternate plans were put forward as to whether to go with underground mass transportation or overhead rail systems. There are also interesting insights into the vision behind the creation of Central Park.
John Randel was never satisfied with his accomplishments and was always looking for his next big project. He moved on to plan railroads and canals in Delaware and Georgia, as well as New York’s Erie Canal. His genius and talent are sometimes overshadowed by his personality, one account calling him “strange and eccentric, full of Utopian schemes and projects”. He made fortunes and lost them and there are hints that his personality quirks may have been due to medical treatments he was taking, the stress of personal tragedy, or both.
If I could change one thing, I would wish there were more maps and the maps had more visible detail. Those of us with a personal interest may have to go in search of the rest of the maps. There is a wealth of information on the man though, including personal accounts, diaries, lawsuits, and newspaper articles on his personal tragedies. This is a fascinating look into a young nation during a time of tremendous growth and finding its compass, a time largely ignored in our history books. Though the story is a little meandering, there is great insight into the nations’ journey of growth through the life of one creative genius who lived during nearly-forgotten times. ( )