This book is a direct reprint of a single issue of the New-Yorker Staats-Zeitung, a major German-language newspaper, from October 16, 1915. It's not a story with characters in the traditional sense. The 'plot' is the day itself. You open it and are immediately in the middle of World War I, but from the unique perspective of German-Americans in New York. The front page is filled with war updates from Europe. Flip further, and you find local New York stories, theater listings, shipping news, and pages of classified ads.

Why You Should Read It

This is history without the filter of a textbook. The most fascinating part is the tension you feel on every page. These readers had deep ties to Germany, but were living in a neutral America. The ads are a trip—tonics for 'nervous exhaustion,' fur coats, and pianos for sale. You see a vibrant immigrant community going about its daily life while the old world burns. It makes that huge historical event feel personal and strangely immediate.

Final Verdict

Perfect for history buffs who are tired of dry summaries, or for any New Yorker curious about their city's past. It’s also great if you love primary sources and the thrill of connecting dots yourself. Don't expect a narrative; think of it as a museum exhibit you can hold in your hands. You have to be willing to scan, imagine, and piece the story together. For that kind of reader, it’s a quiet little treasure.