No comments about ZagatSurvey 2009 New York City Restaurants Dining Journal.

No comments about Walking to Vermont: From Times Square Into the Green Mountains -- a Homeward Adventure.

5 comments about Gotham Restored: The Preservation of Monumental New York.

1. A curious thing happened to me as I read the text and looked at these photographs. They made me feel somehow comfortable and pleased. I realized this after going through the entire book. It was comforting to see how these standard landmarks are rejuvenated to be enjoyed for time to come. Far more than a "coffee table" book on famous sights (or sites), the images are embued with the authors sensitivy to the aesthetic of the structures and the city. If you love New York you will enjoy this volume. Wonderful book and a great gift for anyone who knows NYC.



2. This beautifully designed book presents monumental icons in a way that is both insightful and inspirational. The subject matter in this work is so very familiar (the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, Grand Central Station and the NY Public Library) that it would have been temptingly easy to trivialize and display these structures as they are frequently seen in glossy calendars and travel books. In contrast, Rudnick's exquisite work transcends these more commonly seen depictions. His intimate knowledge of, and obvious reverence for, the structures allows him to share with the reader unique perspectives that revitalize our appreciation for these great national treasures. The book celebrates the exhaustive and impressive work that the restorations entailed and the presence of the various craftspeople in the shots allows one to appreciate the enormous scale of the projects. Those who spend time with this book will never look upon these colossal structures in quite the same way again.



3. Thomas Mellins provides the text for Gotham Restored: The Preservation Of Monumental New York, an impressive survey of photographer James Rudnick's works on New York. Rudnick's images gave him a reputation as a documentary photographer, and his projects following landmark buildings and structures in New York provide fine shots from 'before' and 'after' their reconstruction. New Yorkers in particular will find this packed with memories and familiar images.



4. This book is beautifully conceived. The photographer, James Rudnick, had the foresight and the love for these icons of New York City to preserve them photographically for generations to come.
   The design is elegant. The text is interesting and important.
   A great book.



5. Rudnick's book is monumental both figuratively and literally. In photographing the restorative work performed on New York's most recognizable structures, Rudnick has forever preserved an important piece of Americana. With a discerning and creative eye, he juxtaposes images of exquisite detail and grandiose sweep, of human form and man-made object, of decay and renewal. One of my favorite shots is that of Liberty's internal spiral staircase (p. 75). This photograph could just as easily be a study in abstract form; three ghostly lights punctuate an array of metallic angles and curves in an enormously deep field of vision. Another stand-out is a view of Liberty through scaffolding (p. 67). The torch rises dramatically above the gridwork, suggesting that American freedom can never be constrained. There is obvious forethought to Rudnick's work -- as in a shot of ironworkers on the Brooklyn Bridge perfectly framed by the Twin Towers (p. 49) -- but his photographs never appear cliched or stilted. Gotham Restored offers up new rewards with each viewing. It should serve to place Rudnick among the pantheon of living photographers. Highly, highly recommended.

No comments about Persons, Places and Things in the Finger Lakes Region (2000 Edition).

2 comments about The Heart of the World.

1. Everybody has a sad story, and it seems like Nik Cohn went and found them all. This book does the unique...it puts a name and a story with each of those faces you see on your way to work. There's Sasha Zim...who in a few statements sums up the feeling of the book...New York is a hellpit, but it's my hellpit. Not a happy book in the traditional sense, going into it with the wrong mindframe might leave you in a somewhat sour mood. At times dour, at times saddening, at times depressing--you know that these are real people. Cohn brings out the best in these people. Combined with an awesome ability to paint an image, Cohn characterizes each person to the point that they couldn't have told the story better themselves. The characterizations, though, are at times a little too perfect...mostly good, I did roll my eyes a couple of times. Cohn packs as much meaning into a phrase as is humanly possible. I've not read a person who can turn a phrase like Mr. Cohn. However, it is NOT a quick read. Set aside a long period of time...read it in little bits and digest it. The scope of the tale, like its subject, is just too broad to consume in one sitting.



2. The Heart of the World is writing in search of a book. And it never comes together. Furthermore, most of characters and anecdotes seem totally fictional (there's really no way of verifying anything), although this is supposed to be nonfiction. Nik Cohn may be a gifted writer, but this so-called book is a disaster.

No comments about Nineteenth-Century New York in Rare Photographic Views.

No comments about Spanish Harlem (American Scene, 3).

1 comments about Tasting the Hamptons: Food, Poetry and Art from Long Island's East End.

1. Katherine Hartnett's book, "Tasting the Hamptons", seems to capture the bounty of local produce and spirit of creative cooking which makes the Hamptons a resort area known for its unique restaurants and inns. It's been fun trying recipes from favorite area restaurants, as well as breakfast recipes made famous at their lovely B&B. Anyone who's ever been to the Hamptons , or would like to go, would enjoy this book, not only for the recipes, but local poetry and drawings as well.

2 comments about Exposing the Wilderness: Early-Twentieth-Century Adirondack Postcard Photographers (New York State History & Culture).

1. Author has produced an interesting book of those early twentieth century photographers, whose works can still be found on early postcards. Much more than a coillection of post card images, the author has produced a book with much historical significance.



2. What a super book. If you are interested in postcard history, or a lover of the adirondacks, this book has both.
   The book includes 8 chapters, with 6 of the chapters giving biographies of postcard photographers of the 19th and 20 century,Mandeville, Beach, Kollecker, Ameden,Wooley, and Cassen
   It was hard to put this book down.

3 comments about New York: Chinatown 2005.

1. One of the most unique experiences you can have while visiting any of the soundwalk destinations. You will be blown-AWAY! A Must have if you are a person that seeks out a unique and fun time.



2. I will preface that I only listened to the CD in preparation for a trip, and did 'not' walk the route. I am glad I listened ahead of time, because this is definately an audio tour for the native New Yorker who wants to see a different, grungier side of Chinatown. (Without giving it all away, a sweatshop is one of the stops...not a typical sight on the Chamber of Commerce's list of recommendations for tourists.)The sound effects, music, and narration provide for an intense hour-long education of Chinatown. Recommended for natives and extremely daring tourists only.



3. Do not waste your time with this.
   It is a very poor narration of a few items in Chinatown
   All of the insight could be condemned into a five minute talk.
   The author should be ashamed to release something this weak