American Hotel

"David Freeland is such a fascinating writer, and a true scholar of New York City. I have always loved the passion and joy that he brings to his work, and Ive learned so much from him over the years. In this book, Freeland takes us on a tour of one hundred years of American history, as seen through the lens of New Yorks legendary Waldorf-Astoria. From turn-of-the-century battles over womens rights, through Prohibition, battles over Labor rights, communism, and segregation, the Waldorf has played host to some of the most electrifying moments in the American story. Through Freelands meticulous research, this bookand the Waldorf-Astoria itselfjump vividly to life. A tour-de-force." -- Elizabeth Gilbert * author of Eat, Pray, Love * "David Freeland is a master at reconstructing lost Manhattan history and plunging us into it. Now he checks us into the most glamorous hotel New York has ever known and lets us wallow in its luxuries, meet its quirky cast of characters, applaud its shows, and uncover its scandals. This fascinating book tracks the unfolding of several unforgettable eras and shows us what made a phenomenon like the Waldorf-Astoria possible." -- James Gavin * author of Stormy Weather: The Life of Lena Horne * "Known internationally as a symbol of elegance and luxury, Manhattans Waldorf-Astoria is one of the worlds most famous hotels. Its reputation as a host to political leaders and movie stars is matched only by the renown of its cuisine and soaring Art Deco architecture....American Hotel: The Waldorf-Astoria and The Making of a Century [goes] behind the glittering image, using rare photos and documents to reveal the full extent of the Waldorfs contribution as a shaper of twentieth-century life and culture." * Untapped Cities * "The many lives of the Waldorf-Astoria and the future of the iconic NYC hotel," by Jacqueline Cutler * New York Daily News * "Freelands new book offers a new perspective. While exclusion, discrimination and shoddy treatment of guests are woven into the histories of all American hotels, he argues that the Waldorfs legacy is largely one of openness and acceptance. Its very symbolism enabled it to play a part in creating a more inclusive society." * BookTrib * "BBO NYC's David Freeland Releases Book On Waldorf-Astoria: The hotel has hosted countless movie stars, business tycoons, and world leaders over the past ninety years," by Alexa Criscitiello * Broadway World * "American Hotel explores the ways in which the Waldorf-Astoria shaped popular notions about hotels in the twentieth century. The concept of a hotel containing a village-like arcade of shops on site was among the many innovations that the Waldorf-Astoria pioneered. Guests were now able to shop, dine, and entertain themselves without venturing beyond the hotels walls. This new model, which persists to the current day (for instance, in all-inclusive resorts), was quickly copied by other hotels around the world." * The New Criterion *

DAVID FREELAND is a historian and journalist who has written for the Wall Street Journal, New York History, and Time Out New York. His books include Ladies of Soul and Automats, Taxi Dances, and Vaudeville: Excavating Manhattans Lost Places of Leisure. In his free time, David leads walking tours of New York City, where he lives, and gives lectures on the citys culture and history.

Prologue Introduction 1 A Haven for the Well-to-Do 2 Woman Spelled with a Big W 3 Boom Centre 4 Temporary Storms and Stress 5 No More Junior Proms! 6 Weekend at the Waldorf 7 Little America 8 The Waldorf Belongs to the People 9 Becoming Visible Epilogue Acknowledgments Notes Bibliography Index