5 comments about Aftermath: Unseen 9/11 Photos by a New York City Cop.

1. I think it was a well done book - I could have done without the close ups of Bush and Cheney!



2. IF you have been collecting books, videos and material about 9/11 [I'm a history teacher]
   this is a nice addition. The copy is more interesting than the pictures that we've all seen,
   sadly.



3. This book meets the criteria of the film noir movies of the 40's and 50's: oneiric, strange, erotic, ambivalent, and cruel. Well, not erotic. And unlike the films of those days, the pictures here, and the stories that they tell are true.
   
   This is a book composed of pictures made in the days after 9/11. They were taken in black and white, and are somewhat grainy. The photographer, John Botte, a police detective and world-class photographer, was assigned by the police commissioner to document the aftermath at the World Trade Center. He was there, day after day, breathing the dust from the concrete, the insulation, and everything else - getting a lung condition that almost cost him his life.
   
   Out of the thousands of photographs he too, he has selected this couple of hundred and created captions that sometimes explain, sometimes just comment on what is being pictured.
   
   It is indeed a fitting AFTERMATH to 9/11.



4. Former officer John Botte has done a wonderful job putting together images of the immediate aftermath of 9/11. The black-and-white photos show both the tragedy and hope of the people involved in the rescue -- and later, simply the clean-up -- of this horrific event.
   
   The only thing I would have enjoyed more would have been captions for all of the photographs. As it stands, only about one in ten of the pictures has any type of explanation.



5. This book contain hard and touching images about the aftermath in New York city.

No comments about Time Out New York Eating and Drinking 2008: The Essential Guide to the City's Best Restaurants and Bars (Time Out Guides).

4 comments about The World in a City: Traveling the Globe Through the Neighborhoods of the New New York.

1. Joe Berger's magnificent new book deserves to become another filament in the tapestry of the city he so eloquently and lovingly describes. He has a sixth sense about people, place and time that bring to life the essence of New York . He weaves history, sociology, politics and personal anecdotes into a seamless whole that illuminate the nooks and crannies of our great metropolis. In conclusion, this reader, for one, cannot wait for the opportunity to embark on the world tour lying outside his doorstep with "The World in a City" as my Baedeker!



2. Joseph Berger, who has delighted us for years with his articles in the NY Times and prevous books, delights us once again with a vivid and fascinating portrayal of life in the City (there is no other). The pictures of prayer services around the City is enthralling.Great book.



3. Manhattan, with its gleaming skyscrapers, shopping and entertainment, financial district, street-life, etc. etc. IS WONDERFUL. But there is still more to New York City, and that "more" is found in the ethnic neighborhoods of its other boroughs. And Joseph Berger, himself a first-generation American, brings many of these immigrant neighborhoods to life with chapters on each. There's Astoria, long known as a Greek-American stronghold which is changing as other groups move in, and East Harlem, now as much Mexican as Puerto Rican, and areas of The Bronx where emigres from Ghana now predominate. The city constantly changes, which makes it an always fascinating place, but one with which it is sometimes hard to keep up. Berger's book makes the task easier, providing a look at areas of the city that aren't, but should be, in the tourist guides. And, best of all, each chapter concludes with a list of things to see AND places to eat! Overall, an excellent book.



4. I happened upon this book and thought it would be a perfect one while I prepare for our trip to NYC this summer. I thought it would tell me many interesting neighborhoods to check out, as well as tell me some stories about the places - given his background as a journalist, I would not have assumed otherwise. Well, he's good at telling about neighborhoods, but their stories are all the same - old immigrants are replaced by new ones. Too many census statistics, too few interesting tales. Oh, and the map is very unsubstantial. I got a few ideas, but in general it was not as good as I thought it would be.

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.

5 comments about MALACHY MURRAY'S UNIQUE NEW YORK: From the Stories You Were Never Told Series.

1. If you ever get to NYC, take the Circle Line Tour and request his tour. He's great! He's funny, informative, serious, inspirational and takes great pride in his city.



2. I ordered Malachy Murray's book after meeting him aboard the Circle Line Tour Boat on August 30th on the 4:30 pm tour. He is one of the most interesting people I have ever met. The book itself is truly unique in that it covers information and facts that a person would never know about unless they delved deeper into archives or lived the experience. Worth every penny and much, much more. My trip to NYC began on the Circle Line and will continue for months while reading and rereading "Unique New York"
   John P. Hayden



3. Visited NY the last of August for the first time. Malachy was the tour guide on the Circle Line boat tour my son and I took around Manhattan. For everyone who thinks history is boring, you will thoroughly enjoy how he gives you a recap of the how's,when's, where's, and why's of NY. This book models the tour talk he gives while you look around at all of the history and famous sights.
   It's light reading that leaves you with an education! He published this by himself so enjoy a handmade product full of his humor and unique twist on the Big Apple. Want to know where that phrase came from? This is where to look!



4. The way Malachy Murry brings the reader closer to New York and the great history behind the big city is both exceptional and breathtaking. If you have the slightest interest to know anything about New York - this book comes highly recommanded.
   In mid-August this year my wife and I had the pleasure of taking the full tour with Circle Line around Manhatten and our tour guide, Mr Murray, made that the most interesting, informative and enjoyable tours we've ever attended.
   Thank you,
   Janne & Trond, Norway



5. We were lucky enough to get on a boat of the NY Circle Line where Malachy Murray held a microphone in his hand - and the attention of his audience as well. He made history come alive, and through his colourful comments on NYC the two hours on that boat went by without a boring minute.
   This book is a fabulous way to remember this great tour of Manhattan, providing anecdotes and facts, and all of it in Malachy Murray's unique style.
   Well done, Malachy :-)

4 comments about Lonely Planet New York City Encounter.

1. I was recently in the area for a business trip and had a couple days to spend in the City. LP's "NYC Encounter" book was invaluable as a quick resource for addresses, the subway map, and highlights of the more touristed Manhattan districts. To its credit, and unlike many other guides which believe visitors have no business leaving Manhattan, it also included a brief overview of some Brooklyn sights. For a short visit I found New York City Encounter perfect, but when I return for a longer visit a more detailed guide would work better- hopefully with more coverage of the other boroughs.



2. Very Useful Guide to the Big Apple, it includes pretty much all you need: metro maps, street maps, major attractions, descriptions, and properly selected Tips. Unfortunately no real insider news.
   The chosen listing into different districts is great since it shows detail maps for every sightseing spot shown in every district, a rip out full fold map of manhatten is included though too.
   Negative:
   The suggested "hot clubs" are the common meat markets of the city. The recommended "harlem soul food restaurant" disappointed as well Nothing special...
   
   Buttom Line:
   
   For a short trip to NYC this Book is all you need. Major phone numbers, sight seeing, tips to save money, culture, arts, shopping you'll find it all! To find the really sneaky places you have to talk to the locals!



3. It is a small book, but it did a pretty good job in providing readers necessary information on where to go with clear metro map on the back. I found the color-coded pages are quite easy for me to scout a district. The only drawback may be it's a little bit official.



4. It includes information about museums, etc, divided by zones, but I think not so good restaurant and bar choices.

5 comments about AIA Guide to New York City.

1. I have been a New Yorker all my life and thought I'd known it all. There were buildings/structures that I knew to be older than most and probably landmarks, but never got around to checking them out. Then I picked up the AIA Guide to New York City sometime in 2001. Ever since, I have kept it with me at all times: in my back pocket, my briefcase, my jacket... Sometimes I go to some of these places in advance, with the intent of looking at them after I'd read about them. Other times, when on my way to or from work or lunch, I will see a building, stop, and look to read about what it is. My hunches aren't always correct, of course: not all the buildings I think are landmarks are. But I always keep this Guide on hand to find out.



2. What can we say about New York that hasn't been said? It's an awesome place, and its architecture is truly astonishing in scope, diversity and importance. This book is a selective catalogue of the City's most beloved historic buildings, with a sprinkling of important modern structures as well. I say "historic" because this guide just happens to be that way. There are some conspicuous gaps in the presentation of important modern buildings, which probably reflects the artistic preferences of the editors, but all of the most well-known modern architects are appropriately represented.
   
   This is a book for architectural historians, curious cultural tourists and general readers. The entries are many, so the words included with each are few. Readers are not treated to long narrative histories of imporant landmarks but, rather, to a book that is exceptionally wide and quite shallow. This is what one generally expects from AIA-sponsored guides, so there should be no surprises. There are tiny monochrome photographs with almost every entry, but their small size limits the reader's ability to get a good mental image of the building. Buy this book to take New York's lovely historical architecture with you wherever you go. And by all means, go to see it! No city on earth even comes close.
   
   Latest edition is 2000, so World Trade Center towers are included.



3. This book is the benchmark for books of this type. It doesn't just focus on Manhattan, it does justice to the wonderful architecture in the other buroughs. It is just amazing how many great buildings this city has, the book just goes on and on. The quality of the book is first rate and the pictures, though B&W, are crisp, though understandably small. The latest update was 2000, so the World Trade Center is mentioned as extant, and some of the newer buildings in N.Y., like Time Warner and Bloomberg are not mentioned, but that is for the next update I suppose, New York is ever changing.



4. This guide really opens up a perspective of Manhattan with tons of information on architecture and building styles. It gets you thinking about the structures that you see every day. I am learning a lot from it.



5. This book may seem like nothing more than a tourist guide to New York City, but that assumption could not be further from the truth. This book is insightful, interesting and very eye opening, even to myself who has lived in NYC for some time. It helped me appreciate this city as a living work of art, a place where every style of architecture comes together on a truly unique canvas.
   
   A real selling point are the walks outside of Manhattan that this book offers. This shows off a side of New York hardly ever covered by other book or looked into by tourists, and it is very interesting.
   
   The pictures are few and far between, and not large enough to give you an in depth look at the buildings described, but the walks layed out in the book are well organized, easy to follow and very interesting.
   
   Buy this book and go explore one of the greatest city in the world!

3 comments about Wallpaper City Guide: New York (Wallpaper City Guide New York).

1. Wallpaper Magazine --- the bible of all that is cutting edge in international design/fashion/travel/interiors --- is celebrating its 10th birthday.
   
   And how better to show off its grown-up status --- at ten, a magazine is old enough to drink and smoke and Lord knows what else --- than by rolling out a slew of travel guides that are exactly as hip as the magazine?
   
   These make no effort to be complete. They're 100+ pages. Paperback. Smallish: 6" by 4". With photos that sometimes fill two pages.
   
   In other words, these are not travel guides for first-time travelers. (You want a primer --- start with a guide like Fodor's.) These books are a whole other game. Indeed, they're so of the moment that they probably need to be junked and massively revised every year or two --- the cutting edge has a way of cutting the throats of hip restaurants and shops. And the thing about architecture is that there's always more of it, and the new stuff is (or so the media would have it) just a bit more exciting than last year's.
   
   To judge these guides, I selected a city I know well (Paris) and the city that's been home for most of my life (New York). Talk about surprising! No, make that mind-blowing.
   
   Wallpaper's Paris Guide doesn't fall for the lie that the city never changes. It sees "constant, if sometimes, gentle, upheaval." Yes --- if you are 25 years old and have spent quantity time haunting the chic arrondissements. If, like me, you have a family and plunk yourself down in the 6th or 7th, this guide is a revelation.
   
   I loved the cheek of this praise of the Marais: "These streets...are as near as Paris gets to signs of life on a Sunday." I was happily surprised to learn that Sacre-Coeur was "built as a monument to failure" (in the Franco-Prussian War). But after that...everything was new. I was especially agog at the hotels --- the photos are so exquisite they're hotel-porn. Who could afford these rooms? Why did I know so few of them?
   
   For that matter, I'd heard of half the restaurants, none of the clubs, few of the buildings. Shopping? Spas? Getaways? Zip. Zip. Zip. It got so that I frowned when I came across a recommendation for a known entity --- like Joel Robuchon's Atelier. Clearly, Joel's super-expensive, no-reservations eatery must be on the way out.
   
   Wallpaper's New York Guide was equally full of surprises. I live uptown --- clearly, everything worth seeing or doing is way downtown. (Though it was bracing to see the Paris Theatre, at 5th Avenue and 58th Street, listed as the city's best art-movie cinema.) I've never heard of the beautiful Matsuri Restaurant (in the Maritime Hotel), or Thor, or Public, or Odea, or En, or Morimoto. And that's just the tip of my iceberg of ignorance.
   
   But here's the thing: Nowhere in these guides do I get the feeling that the writer is sneering at me. Or, that if I go to these places, the proprietors will look at my preppy blazer and graying hair and frantically look for a velvet rope to bar me. The exclusionary factor here is money --- bargains are not a Wallpaper priority.
   
   But, hey, you're on a vacation. A little splurge won't kill you. And if you cherry-pick the suggestions in these guides, you're sure to have an adventure you can share with the folks back home. But you'll have to excuse me now --- I'm off to visit New York



2. It's a good City Guide, Good places to visit and a better syntesis of new york best places to go.



3. The publishers are kidding, right? I was so disappointed in this book. I recently moved to NYC and was hoping to find some places to visit that I might not have thought of.
   
   If I had several hundred dollars to spend on dinner or a designer frock, or access to private health clubs, spas, and pricey hotels, I might have been in luck.
   
   Also, a big chunk of the book is devoted to places well outside of NYC, so "city guide" is a bit of a misnomer.
   
   I took one look through this book (page by meager page), and dumped it in the garbage.

No comments about Off the Beaten (Subway) Track: New York City's Best Unusual Attractions.

2 comments about Newcomer's Handbook for Moving to and Living in New York City (Newcomer's Handbook).

1. This book is mediocre to say the least with many reviews that are more objective than fact-based. The problem isn't so much the specific book, but First Books as a company, which is run in a manner that cheats and deceives writers who end up working for below minimum wage. If you oppose sweat shop labor, First Books is the publishing equivalent.



2. I moved to NYC in 2005 and used this book frequently as a resource while I was looking for a place to live.