History in Five: Donald L. Miller on Jazz Age Manhattan

In this edition of History in Five, historian Donald Miller is in studio promoting his book “Supreme City: How Jazz Age Manhattan Gave Birth to Modern America.”

While here, Don discusses Duke Ellington, the Jazz Age, and New York during the 1920’s, offering us all the history (and history facts) you could ever want--assuming all you want is five facts.

Don kicks us off describing how Grand Central Terminal allowed Midtown Manhattan to grow and flourish as a result of the railroad access. From there we hear about how New York during the Jazz Age transformed architecturally, with the skyline “exploding” in just 10 years. He then goes on to the describe how the popularity of jazz (made possible by the likes of Duke Ellington and other music masters) created a bitter rivalry in America’s radio capital. Watch the full video to find out the rest of the Jazz Age history facts.

[rickpeuser]

I cannot wait to get rolled up into this volume!!!  I just got it and the cover alone is  Massive, enormous and deep!  Dr. Miller, thank you!!!!  My Summer is now set!    

[jackbuckley]

I'd like to learn more about Rickard & Dempsey. I've heard of latter but not the former. I thought Dempsey was from a later period but I was wrong. I may've been thinking of Marciano. There was a time when boxing champs were household names but no more. Grand Central of special interest to me since I'm a huge railroad history buff. Auto pioneer Chrysler an amazing fellow. Early history of radio fascinating, too. This program's a new discovery for me. I'll continue following!