DeeSiwisa

Thanks very much, Richard! I appreciate the support. Davida

Thank you so much, Troy. I apologize for not responding sooner. It was incredible of you to post my other books as well. I've been swamped with putting together a June book tour and I haven't checked back here in several weeks. I appreciate the support and positive feedback. Davida

BOOK PRESS RELEASE Publication Date: April 2, 2024 Unveiling Harlem’s Hidden Gems: Hamilton Heights and Sugar Hill - A Journey Through History and Culture We are excited to announce the upcoming publication of Davida Siwisa James' book Hamilton Heights and Sugar Hill: Alexander Hamilton’s Old Harlem Neighborhood Through the Centuries (Fordham University Press: April 2, 2024). In this fascinating book, James explores the rich history of Harlem's notable neighborhoods, Hamilton Heights and Sugar Hill, spanning from their origins in the 1600s to their present-day significance. Hamilton Heights and Sugar Hill begins with the neighborhoods' early days, tracing their transformation from rural farmland to a bustling section of Manhattan. The book vividly describes how these areas have been home to many influential figures throughout history, including Alexander Hamilton, Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, and Thurgood Marshall, and played a pivotal role in cultural movements like the Harlem Renaissance. As the story unfolds, readers are taken through the architectural development, social changes, and cultural milestones that have defined these neighborhoods. James' narrative is a journey through time, highlighting the unique blend of historical events, personal stories, and architectural evolution that make Hamilton Heights and Sugar Hill iconic. This book encapsulates the essence of Harlem's transformation, illustrating the resilience and growth of a community that has continually reinvented itself. With its blend of detailed historical accounts and personal narratives, Hamilton Heights and Sugar Hill serves as a valuable resource for understanding the cultural and historical significance of these neighborhoods in New York City. About the Author Davida Siwisa James is an accomplished author with a deep connection to Harlem. Her diverse body of work includes nonfiction books, essays, poems, plays, and an award-winning short story. Her insights into the history and culture of Hamilton Heights and Sugar Hill are informed by her personal experiences and extensive research. Praise for Hamilton Heights and Sugar Hill: “Over the years, several books and projects have attempted to capture the essence of Hamilton Heights and Sugar Hill, and thankfully, with Davida Siwisa James, the legendary community has its griot. She brings a fresh veneer, a lively descriptive narrative to this timeless section of Harlem. To be sure, the dramatic moments of the past are invoked and then lavishly alloyed with the neighborhood's current vibrancy.” —Herb Boyd, Professor, City College of New York, author of Baldwin’s Harlem, a biography of James Baldwin “Yes, her book is New York City history, but Davida Siwisa James' exploration of northern Manhattan across the centuries also reveals the writer/artist in her. Strings of sentences sing so poetically. Old Hamiltonian New York and twentieth century Harlem come alive with the stories in each chapter. Davida's multiple identities shine through the book: self-made historian, poet, and non-fiction writer. Peace be with you, Davida. We lovers of New York City thank you so much.” —Ron Howell, Associate Professor of Journalism, Brooklyn College, author of Boss of Black Brooklyn: The Life and Times of Bertram L. Baker “Hamilton Heights and Sugar Hill traces the transformation of New York’s West Harlem community from the ancestral hunting grounds of the Lanape Indians into the cultural mecca of Black America. Davida Siwisa James narratives with pictures of one of America’s most prolific neighborhoods. Hamilton Heights and Sugar Hill produced American icons like the writer James Weldon Johnson, the scholar George Edmund Haynes, the boxing champ Joe Louis, and the 20th century composer George Gershwin. But beyond that, this book makes an important contribution by showing how one small American neighborhood impacted New York’s culture, politics, and arts.” —Dr. Bruce Haynes, Professor of Sociology, University of California Davis, author of Down the Up Staircase: Three Generations of a Harlem Family __________________________________________________________________________ Hamilton Heights and Sugar Hill: Alexander Hamilton’s Old Harlem Neighborhood Through the Centuries Davida Siwisa James Empire State Editions; Hardcover; April 2024 ISBN: 978-1-5315-0614-8 | History | New York City & Regional | Cultural Studies | $34.95 432 pages 128 black & white illustrations eBook Available Media Contact: If you would like to receive a review copy or arrange for a virtual or in-person talk, please contact Derek Krissoff, dkrissoff@gmail.com.

Yes, it is. Thank you for asking. https://www.edelweiss.plus/#catalogID=4923786&page=1

Thank you for considering it. Davida

Good Day: I would appreciate it if you would consider reviewing my upcoming historical nonfiction book "Hamilton Heights and Sugar Hill" being released April 2nd by Fordham University Press. All requested details follow. Thank you so much Davida Siwisa James HAMILTON HEIGHTS and SUGAR HILL: Alexander Hamilton's Old Harlem Neighborhood Through the Centuries by Davida Siwisa James Fordham University Press: Empire State Editions Nonfiction; 432 pages; 126 illustrations: PUBLICATION DATE: April 2, 2024 ISBN-13: 978-1531506148 Hardcover $34.95; available for presale on Barnes & Noble, am*zon and major outlet websites SYNOPSIS Discover the neighborhood where Alexander Hamilton built his country home, George Gershwin wrote his first hit, a young Norman Rockwell discovered he liked to draw, and Ralph Ellison wrote Invisible Man. By telling the history of its vibrant people and the beautiful architecture of this lovely, well-maintained historic landmark district, Davida Siwisa James dispels the misconception that Harlem was primarily a ghetto wasteland. The book touches upon The Great Migration and the Harlem Renaissance artists and luminaries who called it home, such as Thurgood Marshall, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Mary Lou Williams, Paul Robeson, and W.E.B. Du Bois. Through words and pictures, Hamilton Heights and Sugar Hill traces the transition of this picturesque section of West Harlem from lush farmland in the early 1600s to its urban growth highlighted by stunning architecture, Harlem Renaissance gatherings, the development of its arts institutions, and the gothic spires and renown of City College. The book also shares the story of the Morris-Jumel Mansion, Manhattan’s oldest surviving residence and famously known as George Washington’s headquarters at the start of the American Revolution after the Battle of Harlem Heights. Then there is the fascinating history of the 8,200 square foot Romanesque mansion that James A. Bailey of Barnum & Bailey built in 1888.