5 comments about New York Underground: The Anatomy of a City.

1. The book is an interesting look into the lost and forgotten places of the New York Underground. There is a lot of history presented by the author which is interesting and insightful.
   
   However, after the book starts exploring the author's expeditions, it sort of becomes like watching a relative's slide show of their recent RV trip. The photographs become "Here I am in [x aqueduct]" and "Here I am in [x tunnel]." In other words, the book loses its focus on being informative, and rather focuses on the author herself.



2. This is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of New York. Great photos and lots of stories of unknown events in the underground to hold your interest.



3. Interesting view of the city that most people have never thought about. Some of the pictures are not the best but are interesting.



4. Excellent book if you are looking for the real stories behind (or below) the streets of NY. Nicely written. Sticks to the facts and the author's impressions of the scenes did not affect the character of the book. The photographs are amazing! If you want a good introduction into the NY underground this is the place to start.



5. This is a great book for anyone interested in learning more about the Tunnels under New York City. Solis gives interesting accounts of the history behind each kind of tunnel and her own experiences exploring them. She warns that while popular fiction on this topic may be overly romanticized, she sticks solely with the FACTS. However, even thought I am a BIG fan of one such fictional account of the people living below New York City, the '80s TV series "Beauty & the Beast," I was still very much intrigued and amazed by her "real life" stories. Great pictures of the Tunnels found throughout the book as well.

5 comments about New York, Chicago, Los Angeles: America's Global Cities.

1. I assigned this book for a graduate seminar last year (2002) and it went down very well with a range of social sciences and humanities students. They loved Abu-Lughod's geographically- and historically-specific approach to understanding globalization and urban change. In contrast to some of the universalizing bombast out there in, Janet Abu-Lughod's book helps us to make sense of urban change in these three cities via the astute integration of social, economic and political dynamics at a range of scales. Abu-Lughod was able to take them down into the streets at some points, and then back up to the national and global scales at other points. To be sure there is a mass of detail in the text, but it is knitted together as well as can be given the research questions. My students also appreciated the lack of jargon in the book; a rarity these days in the urban studies field. In short, this is a fine book for students, academics, and laypersons with interests in global urbanization, the history of American cities, the role of cities in the historical development of America, and historically-oriented research methodologies.



2. As mentioned in another review, this book has been set as a college textbook. I am sure it fulfils that roile admirably. However, from the point of view of the generalist reader looking for something `meaty' on the subject of American cities, I can't really recommend it.
   It is full of rather dry statistics and facts. I was particularly interested in Los Angeles, and the book did provide some very useful background information, but it left me unsatisfied - I didn't come away with a `feel' for the city in any human sense.

   For a more passionate account of Los Angeles, still in a scholarly work, I can recommend `The History of Forgetting' by Norman Klein.

   Please don't feel I don't think this book isn't useful within its context, but if you are looking for something scholarly yet with some passion, you may well be disappointed in this book.




3. I enjoyed America's Global Cities and found it relatively readable and engaging. However, I have to second those reviewers who described it as extremely detailed and occasionally dry. This is a scholarly and historically cogent account of New York, Chicago, and LA and their place in the context of globalization; it is not at all summer beach reading, even for those people who enjoy serious non-fiction. That said, if you have any interest in urban history and social policy, your patience will be rewarded in reading this book.



4. I find it annoying that the author includes Chicago in the same tier as NY and LA. How can the buckle of the midwest rustbelt be in the same league as the premier coastal cities? It's absurd I tell you.



5. I am reading this for a college course called "History of the American City". This book is a typical 'college texbook' in that it is FILLED with numbers, dates, percentages, figures, numbers, oh did I say numbers, dates, figures, and years, oh and plenty of numbers... The brilliant,dilligent,honored, and esteemed scolar of a woman that wrote it sure knows her numbers, facts, years, etc... I, on the other hand, am absolutley hating it and foolishly I have allowed the drop date to pass, so I have to read the book or fail the class. I am getting nothing from the book regarding any kind of understanding of any of these cities , unless I am willing to spend years interpreting the multitude of data the book heaps upon me. Needless to say, from (attempting)reading it I am getting a headache and don't really even have the time to write this review. I say that if even one person is deterred from reading this expose' of numbers, names, dates, figures, facts, percentages, orders, years, dates and more numbers, dates, facts, figures (are you getting my drift yet?), it will be time well served though.--- AVOID--- THIS--- BOOK.
   please -- Find another book. Maybe if people told the truth about THIS BRAND OF WRITING,more professors might have to teach and people like Ms. Abu-Lughod wouldn't continue to make money off of writing books such as this, and folks like her might have to write to COMMUNICATE!!!!, like the rest of us.Thank you for taking the time to read this.
   OK, I have to say it: This sucks.

2 comments about The Gluten-Free Guide to New York: Everything You Need To Know About GF Dining, Shopping, and Cooking in the World's Greatest City (and Its Suburbs).

1. This is a great gluten-free restaurant guide for people living in or visiting the NY tri-state area. It not only highlights great places to eat gluten free, but also lists where to shop. The sample menus are also very helpful.



2. This is a great resource for people travelling to New York. It's in reference form, with titles, addresses and some menus of restaurants that are aware of the celiac diet, and in some cases specially prepare gluten-free food. I needed my book quickly and Maria did everything she could to get it to me. This book and its author are terrific.

No comments about Hip Hotels: New York (Hip Hotels).

No comments about Cycling Along The Canals of New York State, 2nd Edition: Scenic Rides On The Historic Waterways Of The Empire State.

5 comments about Manhattan Block by Block: A Street Atlas.

1. I bought this weeks before my vacation in NYC and it helped in my planning - AND it was invaluable during my stay. The bus maps were highly useful (tourists: take the buses, it's a great way to get from point a to point b) and having the building called out is great. The varying levels of detail are also great. I can't say enough good things about this book. Also, everyone I have shown this book to (both tourists and native New Yorkers) loves it.



2. I purchased this earlier this year, just prior to my trip to New York City.
   It was really handy, especially considering it's size.
   It's really easy to read, and it makes using the subway simple.
   
   The street numbering is also very handy.



3. In this city, knowing EXACTLY where you're going is valuable because we are on foot most of the time: it's important to be able to plan what subway and/or bus combination it will take to get to a destination without extra walking/trudging about the city aimlessly.
   
   Having every single major building number marked on this street atlas is also helpful as I am not the type that does the "formulas" found in the tourists' books to determine cross streets based on building numbers.
   
   I have lived in NYC over 5 years and am astounded by the value this little book has. Buy it so you know where you're going in NYC!



4. If your new to visiting New York or you have been there before, this is great to have on you. I found a copy at my local library, wanted one for my trip, no one else had any in stock. Needed it in a week and Amazon delivered in two days. This is a great book, it has everything you need.



5. I recently took a trip to NYC and I got this and a few other maps in advance to get to know the layout of the land. This is an excellent, detailed close-up map. It would be especially helpful for those who are moving to NYC or are there on a long trip.

No comments about ZAGAT Long Island Restaurants 2008/09 (Zagatsurvey: Long Island Restaurants).

1 comments about Making Mountains: New York City and the Catskills (Weyerhaeuser Environmental Books).

1. I am enjoying this book very much. I was born in the Catskills and I am learning so much that my parents never told me. It is very well written.Making Mountains: New York City and the Catskills (Weyerhaeuser Environmental Books)

2 comments about Afloat (New York Review Books Classics).

1. "Afloat" does not resemble anything else written by Maupassant. It is a true story (as indicated at the end) and is based on his personal travel. It has some amusing descriptions of the French Reviera and Monaco, but also contains some grim philosophical thoughts that explain some things about Maupassant, not the least of which is why he ended up in a mental hospital.



2. As a sailor I read this little book like reading a yacht's log book. The device is fresh and alive. Much of how he wrote it captures the feeling of being with him on that yacht with the wind taking Guy, you and a wide range of thoughts anywhere on a whim. You are always brought back to the "Bel-Ami" itself to move forward-book as yacht. It has been said that to understand the French you had to read Guy de Maupassant. Well, to understand the spirit of the sailing life it doesn't hurt to read him either. Delightful.

5 comments about Streetwise Midtown Manhattan Map - Laminated City Street Map of Midtown Manhattan, NY - Folding pocket size travel map with integrated subway lines & stations (Streetwise) (Streetwise).

1. We used this map to get around Manhattan during our first-ever trip there in July, 2003. It's small enough to be convenient, big enough to show the important stuff, and, best of all, laminated so it takes the wear and tear of repeated use! I will definitely hold on to this map and take it with me the next time I visit NYC!



2. I own Streetwise maps for pretty much every city I've visited in the US and abroad. They're easy to read, and are pretty much indestructible. This is my second Manhattan map but only because I wanted more current hotel info. My old one looks as good as the one I just received. I've tried lots of street maps....these are the best !



3. I have just returned from our New York trip. Let me tell you that I was the "logistician" for our little group thanks to both Frommer's and this incredible Streetwise MidTown Manhattan Map!
   
   The map is accurate, easy to read, very portable. I found the information it contained about the location of various Theatres particularly helpful.
   
   I always purchase a map such as this prior to travel, and would not go to a city without a map like this! The Transit Map of New York was also very helpful and a wonderful companion purchase. Oh and do not forget the Downtown Manhattan Map!



4. I purchased both the Midtown and Downtown maps. To my dismay, the large text block containing the Midtown map's title completely obscures Greenwich Village. To make matters worse, the Midtown and Downtown Manhattan maps do not correlate, leaving a sizable unmapped gap between Canal Street and 4th Street (and again omitting Greenwich Village). If you don't mind wandering blindly in the gap between Canal and 4th Streets, these are great maps. Otherwise, trade off some of the detail and stick with the complete Streetwise Manhattan.



5. I'd recommend this foldable laminated map to people who will live or work in Midtown area, otherwise a full Manhattan streetwise map ( Streetwise Manhattan Map - Laminated City Street Map of Manhattan, New York - with integrated subway lines and stations - bus map) would be more helpful.
   
   But I highly recommend Not for Tourists 2008 Guide to New York City (Not for Tourists: New York City) (or the most updated edition if it's not 2008) over others.
   
   I would buy both a streetwise map of manhattan and a Not For Tourist Guide. The former is for a complete view of the whole island, and the latter is for much more comprehensive information of each part of Manhattan.