5 comments about The Angel of Forgetfulness.

1. Wonderful novel that will keep you spellbound. Excellent read and a book you'll want to share with others.



2. I read the other reviews and felt compelled to take the reviews down a notch. The novel works when it disquiets the reader and challenges your notions of appropriate and productive behavior. It works less well when delving into the world of fantasy. Still, one of the best reads of 2005, but be prepared to stick with it past page 200 when the more personal story tapers off and the fanciful story dominates.



3. Memphis and Arkansas in the 60s. The Lower East Side in the 1900s. Heaven. The depths, heights, sidespins and blind alleys of magical realism. The stage. An attic in Prague. The Catskills. Where up is down. (Somewhere else you want to go maybe? Ingrate!)
   
   I hestitate to call this the culmination of Stern's work only because that would leave him nowhere to go. His individual sentences are more poetic than most author's books. His realism is real, his magic is Magic, and his weaving of the two is seamless.



4. ...and putters a bit. For the record, I'm usually a tough reviewer of books and only review books that I either really love or abhored. This book and I, ah, our first night was magic. There was laughter, some tears, time and space became distorted, the line between reality and fiction frayed, and then a kiss... by an old decrepit relative whose relation has never quite been pinned down. Which is how this book opens.
   
   Our love affair hit a good stride towards the middle; we were looking to the future and I felt we had really bonded. But I began becoming a bit bored with our relationship, began sneaking in other books behind the Angel's back. We carried on our romance as before but we both knew something had died. After a while, I just was waiting for the end.
   
   When the end came, I felt good about our relationship; it was fun and definitely had its moments. I'd probably take it up again if I hit a cold spell.



5. I did not fall in love with the plot of this book as much as I fell in love with Stern's characters. You will enjoy spending your time with them during the read and will remember them all as if you really got to know them.

No comments about Sylvia Plachy: Goings On About Town: Photographs for The New Yorker.

No comments about Meyer Berger's New York.

2 comments about Still New York.

1. It's extremely well-executed photo realism with pencil + watercolor, and
   the artist has chosen buildings/scenes which are architecturally strong
   and visually rich so as to let his technique really shine. However, the
   real strength, I think, is actually the artist's ability to impart a
   dreamlike quality (reminiscent of children's book illustrator Chris Van
   Allsburg). This elevates the book to a whole different, more evocative
   level, so that you stop marveling at the technique and start thinking of
   the subject matter itself. Anyone who loves New York should love this
   book.



2. I enjoyed this book very much, and will return to it over and over to enjoy the excellent reproductions of Brosen's highly realistic watercolors. His work is unique and compelling. I also enjoyed the artist's descriptions and information, given as picture captions, about the scenes he painted. There are also highly readable vignettes with each chapter, focussing on a local, long-term resident of the area of NYC that that chapter pictures. A fine read, but an even more beautiful LOOK.

5 comments about Jay Maisel's New York.

1. Jay Maisel's New York is the single richest and most alluring photo book about my city that I have seen. It is especially satisfying because my New York is captured and served up by a true photographic genius.

   Going through the pages, I find myself gasping and smiling all at once.

   Jay has that rare ability to hit your eyes with a one-two punch. First, he serves up a moment or fleeting gesture and frames it with a simple stunning composition made with colors.

   He is able, page after page, to make a reader's stomach flutter in recognition of moments of light that most of us only "thought" we saw.

   He's a master in the profession.

   Gary Gladstone




2. New York history and culture has been covered so often before, who can offer a different perspective on the city? Photographer Maisel does, in Jay Maisel's New Yorkm a title which captures both unique urban sights and ordinary days in New York activity, from immigrants on a rooftop to Gay Pride Day celebrations. Full-page color photos are vivid and striking whether they be of oddly-brilliant building paint jobs or individuals.



3. Jay Maisel is probably the greatest photographer of New York City. He is not only an accomplished photographer, he is a real New Yorker who "feels" and "lives" the City. I enjoy his capturing ordinary and spontaneous moments of New Yorkers and his playing with contrast of colors. My only regret is that there is unfortunately no technical information about each photograph (equipment used...) A great book by a great photographer.



4. I love Jay's style, and have been a fan for years, which is strange because he was primarily an advertising photographer. Most advertising photogs are strictly in it for the money, and their work shows it. Jay though, always seemed to put his heart into even his $100,000 Amex campaigns. I remember reading that he would tell clients if an assignment wasn't going well, something along the lines of, "Let's make it something that I would do for free anyway, even though you're paying me, that way I'm happy, and you're happy." Strange then, that I find that stuff much better than the stuff in this book. There are still gorgeous pictures, but if you want to see some amazing stuff, try to find an old copy of Communication Arts from the eighties, the Photography Annuals, to be precise. Maybe 1985, 1986, etc. AMAZING stuff. You will understand why other photographers freaking WORSHIP the man. I was slightly disappointed when I first received this book. It doesn't grab me, and some of the transparencies seem to be in bad shape. Oh well, hopefully his website will be up again soon.



5. Jay's work is legendary and this book shows us why. The graphic, the color, the gesture....all there. But what is so special about the book is his ability to communicate his love for New York, terrible warts and all. It should be in any serious photographer's library.

1 comments about Empire: A Tale of Obsession, Betrayal, and the Battle for an American Icon.

1. After listening to this book on tape/CD, I appreciate the Empire state bldg more. I was amazed at the details of long-term leases, real estate negotiations that are relaying in this entertaining and insightful story of the 1980's real estate boom. The current day characters--Donald Trump, Leona Helmsly, etc--made the story more interesting. A worthy story for any traveler (kept me entertained on a 10 hr flight to Italy and 3 hr layover in Paris) or visitor to the Empire State Bldg.

No comments about New York's 50 Best Places to Find Peace and Quiet: 3rd Edition (City and Company).

3 comments about 50 Hikes in the Lower Hudson Valley: Hikes and Walks from Westchester County to Albany (50 Hikes).

1. Collaboratively developed and written by Stella Green and Neil Zimmerman, 50 Hikes In The Lower Hudson Valley is a practical and thoroughly enjoyable guide for hikers and nature walkers with an interest in enjoying the very best and most scenic routes in the Lower Hudson Valley area. Maps, trail descriptions, and black-and-white photographs round out this effectively put-together, "user friendly", and very highly recommended reference.



2. 50 Hikes In The Lower Hudson Valley is a valuable guide to some good trails . Stella Green and Neil Zimmerman provide detailed descriptions on 50 quality hikes. The accompanying maps along with these vivid descriptions are pretty easy for someone who would like to lead a group of hikers. The pictures are quite scenic as well.

   The authors are a little inconsistent when it comes to providing telephone numbers for contact information about some trails. Also, the authors lock into one route on many of the hikes without taking into consideration easier trails for light hikers. However, the maps provided and the use of the internet can get around this minor issue.

   Nonetheless, this is a valuable reference book for many audiences.




3. Wonderfully clear and complete descriptions to plan a hike. I've tried several,finding them very enjoyable.

1 comments about Fodor's See It New York City, 1st Edition (Fodor's See It).

1. Bottom line, I bought three books for my trip to NYC. In the end, this was the only book I needed during the trip. It has great summaries of all the major areas of the city, very nice detailed street and site location maps, subway maps, etc. If you want an easy to read quick review/guide book to have during your trip to NYC, this is the one I would recommend.

No comments about Return to Naples: Thirteen Summers That Changed My Life.