Jessica Ferri Libri

To travel through the cemeteries of New York is to travel through the hidden history of what some consider to be the greatest city in the world. Founded in 1838, Green-Wood became the city's most popular tourist attraction. The cemetery was so popular that urban planners challenged architects to come up with plans for a separate green-space for Manhattan. Hence, both Central Park, founded in 1857, and Brooklyn's Prospect Park, in 1867, were born. From the movers and shakers of New York society, to corrupt political bosses and mafiosi, Jazz legends, and a Brooklyn native son who returned to Green-Wood as one of the most famous artists of the 20th century, the stories of the permanent residents of these cemeteries are just as diverse and vibrant as the city itself.

Set against the backdrop of 1914 San Francisco, the narrative explores the relocation of cemeteries to Colma, creating a unique necropolis where the deceased vastly outnumber the living. The book delves into the intricate cultural tapestry of the Bay Area, highlighting the tensions between diverse communities and their historical narratives. It examines the struggle for space and the significance of memorialization, revealing a rich interplay between life and death in this unusual setting.