"A History of the City of Brooklyn and Kings County" is a comprehensive account of New York City's most populous borough from the time of the discovery of America until the late 19th century. Named after the Dutch village of Breukelen, Brooklyn was an independent incorporated city, and previously an authorized village and town within the provisions of the New York State Constitution, until 1898, when, after a long political campaign and public relations battle during the 1890s, according to the new Municipal Charter of "Greater New York", Brooklyn was consolidated with the other cities, boroughs, and counties to form the modern City of New York. The borough continued, however, to maintain a distinct culture.

Volume 1:

The Region of Brooklyn at the Time of the Discovery

Discovery and First Settlements

The Indians and the Early Settlers

The Beginnings of Breuckelen 1643-1647

Domestic and Social Life under the Dutch 1647-1664

Kings County after the English Conquest 1665-1700

Brooklyn before the Revolution 1701-1775

Kings County during the Revolution 1775-1783

Volume 2:

Brooklyn after the Revolution 1784–1810

Brooklyn Village 1811-1833

The City of Brooklyn 1834-1860

The Period of the Civil War 1861-1865

Brooklyn after the War 1866-1876

The Modern City 1877-1893