Manhattan Books

This book is amazingly well done. It is remarkably error-free, especially given the breadth of religious positions represented by the various faith groups in Manhattan. Dunlap understands religion and religious beliefs, and he understands architecture as well. I have been hoping (perhaps praying?) for such a book for years and to have my wish fulfilled -- and not have to do it myself -- has been joyous. I've only had it two weeks but I've already passed it around to others who are equally impressed. If the subject interests you at all, buy this book!

I very much enjoyed this guidebook. It is succinct but lively, an excellent look at how nyc began. You can read it in an armchair, or follow its route as you walk through the streets.

This was the perfect book for our first trip to NYC. The subway lines were accurate and easy to use. The fold out maps were perfect! All of the attractions are here with key tips, directions, and insider info. Follow the mapped out walking tours and you'll definitely see The New York that you imagined. The hotel info was okay, but more accurate info is available online. We'll definitely use our book again for the next trip to New York. Overall, this is a well thought book, and the perfect size to fit in your purse.

I use this book extensively with my private students and consider it one of the best drumset instruction books ever written. The book explains the seminal James Brown funk grooves and how to build upon them, the Tower Of Power grooves that Garibaldi made famous with that band, and has eight funk-fusion music tracks with and without drums, charts of those songs and developmental analysis of the different grooves used in those songs. The drum solo alone on the CD is worth the price of admission. There is also a companion video called "Tower of Groove" that shows Garibaldi and a very tight band playing these songs.

I've read two other seminal books on the Manhattan Project and General Leslie Groves: "Now It Can Be Told : The Story of the Manhattan Project" by Leslie R. Groves and the Pulitzer Prize winner "The Making of the Atomic Bomb" by Richard Rhodes. William Lawren's biography is a personal and intimate look at General Groves in ways lacking in these other two fine books. Groves is a master at sizing up people and situations, deciding on change, and finding the right people to put in charge. While Robert Oppenheimer may have been Groves' most conspicuous choice during the Manhattan Project, he made dozens of other quality people and organizational decisions and adjustments along the way. Groves' people moved at Internet speed before there was such a thing. He practiced high touch before there was email or cell phones. He anticipated cultural clashes especially between the command and control military and collegiate scientists, and dealt with it. Consequently, Groves' staff understood his expectation that the scientists' care and well being were their highest priority even though the scientists disdained their military sponsors.
Groves was not easily intimated or bamboozled by title or genius. In fact, he seemed to have the greatest respect for non-scientist engineers who got things done quickly, competently and with a practical efficiency. If the scientists had their way...and I respect them...nothing would have been built of any consequences. Groves recognized the need to bring in engineering talent early, even before the scientific solutions were determined. And he convinced DuPont and other engineering firms to take on this project despite the risks and unknowns.
I found this to be a great story of leadership and practical management. In fact Groves didn't even want the job and initially thought it had little chance for success. I came away enormously impressed by Groves' energy, determination and focus. Too bad this book is no longer in print...it beats 99% of the management books out there today. I bought it used through Amazon.

This book makes me want to book a flight and make arrangments for an interview with the Manhattan New School administration and teachers! A very enjoyable book to read, Shelley Harwayne makes you feel a part of this fabulous school she and her faculty have created.I have recommended this book to many of my colleagues, all of whom are as happy with the purchase as I have been. A very important and inspiring book for the education of young children in the new millenium!

What a joy to have a book not designed for tourists, but just for we who live, work and play in New York. It has all the info we need to access those neighborhoods we don't know as well as our own. I have used it every day since receiving it and don't leave home without it. It will be an annual purchase like Zagats from here on.

Heading up town is the second book of Marissa Piesman I have read and I am on the 3rd. Close Quarters. The reading is light, filled with a lot of adj.You feel like you are there. The plot on the murders keeps you until the end of the book, with many who could have done it. There are a few more books of Ms. Piesman out there that I need to get.These books are down to earth.Anyone growing up in the 70's and 80's and before, Knows New York City, and are Jewish will love the book. I grew up in the 50's, only been to N.Y. City one time, and I am not Jewish, and I loved the books.

Louis Auchincloss presents two diaries which help the reader better appreciate the growth of Manhattan during the nascent years of this country.

Both the diarists chronicle the great and the mundane events which guided this nation through the assimilation of new citizens, the growth of a two-party system and the development of a war between the industrial states and the agricultural states.

Hone is expecially descriptive of the social dynamics which followed the overthrow of aristocracy and the rise of a political party whose leaders succeeded by manipulating large numbers of newly immigrated citizens.

This book is especially valuable for those of us who have trouble visualising Manhattan as a town modest by today's standards. To paraphrase Mr. Auchincloss' notes, it is for people who don't remember when The Battery was uptown.

I found Weidner's findings fascinating and insightful. A must read for those interested in the truth about crime prevention related to prostitution.