The 1998 Pulitzer Prize-winner for history, "Gotham" traces New York City life from the Dutch colonization to 1898. Jam-packed with tales of crime, violence, corruption, municipal egoism, riots and ethnic struggles, it is anything but dull. Concise biographies of famous New Yorkers and unsung heroes are interspersed throughout the book to allow for a more intimate glance at the people who shaped New York City's colorful history. Highly recommended.  (NYC11, $34.95)