There was a magic time in the last century when New York became the world's capital of the arts and commerce. Confidant in world affairs and awakening to the revelations of the 1960's, Manhattan thrived on creativity and thrilled at its place and powerful effect on interpersonal discovery.

Here are the stories about those exciting and electric times and the people swept up in the new normal of modern life-about their personal, intimate relationships and in the new attitudes toward Women and Blacks.

Stories about Shakespeare plays in the Central Park, life in Gramercy Park, the hustlers of Madison Avenue, dog-walking on the West Side, the commuting life, the building of Lincoln Center, East Side Irish bars, the World's Fair, nannies on Park Avenue, a story about the Prince of Eighth Street in Greenwich Village, sopranos from the Metropolitan Opera - a colorful roster of New Yorkers.

Brought to you by a writer who was there.