“Playground of the rich, a hotbed of sex and crime, and a haven for refugees” Review: The Gods of New York

How a decade of turmoil shaped the Big Apple

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Photo Credit: Getty Images / Stringer

Author Jonathan Mahler | Price £25 | Released 14 August 2025

New York has been many things throughout its history: the playground of the rich, a hotbed of sex and crime and a haven for refugees seeking sanctuary and a new life in the New World.

But as Jonathan Mahler recounts in his latest book, The Gods of New York, during the 1980s the city underwent something of an identity crisis. In his quest to explore this pivotal chapter in the Big Apple’s history, Mahler has crafted a detailed portrait of the City, its denizens and the ‘gods’ who attempted to reshape it.

What results is a sprawling work totalling over 400 pages. As perhaps should be expected for such a seasoned journalist, Mahler’s prose is brimming with life. Historical figures leap off the page, the author taking time to establish their background and personality.

Occasionally this can result in whiplash for the reader, as Mahler indulges in lengthy diversions, only to suddenly return to the main narrative. But the resultant detours are so enjoyable that it would be churlish to complain.

For a modern audience, the most striking name among the many included is of course Donald Trump. At the time an ambitious real estate developer in New York, he looms large over the story and it’s easy to see how he came to occupy the most powerful position on the planet – for better or worse.

But wider events as well as individuals are key to Mahler’s story, with the AIDS crisis, rampant homelessness and racial issues dominating the pages as well. Mahler’s fascinating account is colourful and engaging, creating a living, breathing portrait of 1980s New York.