Certainly the most detailed and comprehensive story of Greenwich Village that has been published thus far! Most people know about the early sixties scene and Bob Dylan but this book starts a few years earlier and goes many years beyond the sixties. It touches on Dylan of course but it also focuses on some of the lesser known artists who made Greenwich Village what it was, including Dave Van Ronk, Danny Kalb, Phil Ochs, The Roches and Steve Forbert. Most, if not all, of these artists are not familiar to the casual music fan. This book goes into great detail about the folk music scene but it also spends ample time on Jazz and its place in the village, as well as the neighborhood itself and how it changed from the early 1950's through the 1980's. If you were there, or want to get a sense of what it was like, this is the book for you. You will not find a better book on this topic.

For anyone who has ever spent time wandering the streets of Greenwich Village, Talkin’ Greenwich Village by David Browne is like stepping back in time. It revisits the places and moments that made this small area in downtown New York so legendary. Greenwich Village has always been a haven for artists, rebels, and visionaries, and Browne captures the essence of that spirit beautifully.

Through meticulous research and over 150 new interviews with legends like Judy Collins, Sonny Rollins, and Suzanne Vega, Browne brings the Village's rich history to life, from its jazz and folk roots to the folk revival of the 80s. This isn’t just a chronicle of the famous names that passed through—it’s a story about a community that nurtured creativity and encouraged artists to push boundaries.


As someone who spent much of the late '80s and '90s in the Village, reading Talkin’ Greenwich Village felt like taking a stroll down memory lane. I can still recall closing down Café Wha? after a night of debauchery, playing chess in Washington Square Park (and constantly losing to that old guy who seemed to know all the tricks), and grabbing a falafel from Mamoun’s at 2 am. Browne’s vivid descriptions brought back all those memories and opened my eyes to the rich history before my time there.

Browne did the research for this book, which is exciting and well-written. He doesn’t just focus on the big names—he digs deep into the often-overlooked stories of people of color in the 60s folk scene, the racial tensions that bubbled under the surface, and the infamous "beatnik riot" in Washington Square Park. These stories add depth to the narrative, reminding us that the Village wasn’t just a place of artistic freedom but also a microcosm of the broader social and political struggles of the time.

Café Wha? is one of those iconic spots that Browne brings to life. It’s a place where so many legends got their start, and for anyone who’s ever sat in that dimly lit room, listening to live music with a drink in hand, the stories Browne tells will feel especially poignant. You can almost hear the echoes of those early performances as you read, and it’s a reminder of how much history is packed into every corner of the Village. I was definitely time-tripping.

Ultimately, Talkin’ Greenwich Village is more than just a music scene history—it’s a tribute to a place that has inspired generations of artists and continues to do so today. Whether you’ve spent time in the Village or just discovered its magic, this book will make you feel like you’re walking down MacDougal Street, soaking in the creative energy that has always defined Greenwich Village. Browne’s engaging writing style and thorough research make this a must-read for anyone who loves music, history, or just a good story about a place that has shaped many lives, including mine.

Growing up in the 50’s and 60’s, folk music was always on the radio or the stereo. I bought the first Joan Baez album and I still own the first Bob Dylan album that I bought for 1.99 at Woolworth’s. The first concert I attended starred Peter, Paul and Mary. I never made it to Greenwich Village until 1999. It was always in the news growing up and all the different players that David Browne writes about were always in the news. This is a great book about the history and changes that folk music went through. My friend, Allan Block, is even mentioned. I loved it! Read it!!!!

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Hachette Books, for an advance copy of this cultural and musical history about an area of New York City that was home to what can only be called a real group of characters. An area whose sidewalks and storefronts served as a garden of ideas in music, art, ways of thinking and being, with a legacy that is still being discovered today.

During the late 80's and 90's I spent a lot of time in Manhattan, seeing shows, shopping for records or rarities to resell in Connecticut, going to bookstores, and taking my father to doctor's. I walked a lot in the city, buses confused me, and being on a subway meant I might miss a sidewalk salesman with hot books, pirated videos, or what have you. My path always seemed to be down toward what was called the Village, short for Greenwich Village. Cities have a feeling, and no two cities feel alike. London feels different than Paris, Chicago is different from Los Angeles. The Village seemed different from Manhattan. Even from 14th Street that serves as its northern boundary. Though that might have changed. I haven't wandered the city since Covid, and even before that the area had changed. Cool shops became Boba tea stops. And the music doesn't seem to float on the air like it once did. Talkin' Greenwich Village: The Heady Rise and Slow Fall of America’s Bohemian Music Capital by writer and musical historian David Browne is a look at this section of real estate, who it brought in, cast out, the music made, the music lost, and the remarkable times it had, and maybe one day will again.

Greenwich Village is a section of the city which was in the past known for being a land lush in trees and grass lands, a green district, as it was called. Less than one square mile, The Village is bordered by 14th street, Broadway, Houston Street and the North River. However it always seemed like a place that existed on its own terms. Cheap rents brought artists types, who clustered on the sidewalks playing instruments, or even more in the parks, which brough the police out in force. Cafes and restaurants looking for ways to bring in customers would offer music nights, even if the musician had to sit in a chair amidst the people listening. As the area became known for cheap rents and interesting music, a scene began to develope, calling people from all over. One of those who always seemed there, living in a rent controlled apartment was David Van Ronk, a legend among the folk musicians who played in the Village, a friend to many, an instructor to more, Van Ronk was there at the beginning right up to his end. The book follows the growth of the Village, adding jazz clubs, folk royalty with Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, the eventual declining interest in the music, but with new players like the The Roches, and Shawn Colvin and Suzanne Vega. All told in interviews, with the people who were there, who heard, or played in this revolutionary scene.

I've enjoyed quite a few books by David Browne. Browne has a an ability to write about the music, while not missing the people who helped develop the sounds. There is much talk of Bob Dylan, but other musicains, some not as famous, and some lost to time are discussed, and their lives give the spotlight they deserve. Browne has a real skill in finding the story, the real story, not just the myth, and giving reminding readers these artists are actually human beings. They make mistakes, sometimes many, and not to lose sight of that. The book is laid out well, chronologically with a lot of stories, some funny, some sad. With a great soundtrack, that might send a lot of people to Discogs to find search out these songs on vinyl.

A great book for music fans, and for those interested in the cultural history of the city. The rise of folk, the club scene, the Stonewall riots. And the fall of recovery of the economy of a great city, that made it impossible for these cool places to pay rent. I highly recommend anything by David Browne, this is a good place to start.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publishers for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed the premise of this book and learning about the culture of a famed NYC neighborhood. Maybe it's just me and my ADHD, but it was a bit hard to follow at times, and I wish the chapters were broken up more. 3🌟

This book is an extensive history on Greenwich Village and the music created there. While I have been listening to many of musicians mentioned for years, including Dave Von Ronk and Bob Dylan, I did not know even a fraction of what I learned it this book. I had no idea how much influence Von Ronk had an the area and other musicians. It is clear that the author did copious amounts of research for this book. It was both interesting and well written. I enjoyed how the author wrote, which made the book a quick and interesting read. I would recommend this book.