The history of Albany, New York, spans more than four hundred years and has left an indelible mark on the story of America. However, the city's legacy is also peppered with charming tales about nostalgic diner devotion, a "giant" hoax, and the origins of the Yankee Doodle ditty. In this collection, local author and columnist Don Rittner delights with the best stories from his column "Heritage on the Hudson." From the city's earliest days as Mohican and Iroquois territory to the region's heyday as an important crossroads for trading and river transportation to a French toast debacle, Rittner offers a delightful perspective of the history and culture of this capital city.