Manhattan Books

The late Alfred Hayes (1911-1985) was a prolific and talented writer whose credits include seven novels and a series of screenplays and adaptations for television. Perhaps the very best of his novels is "In Love", a story set in Manhattan during the 1940s when a middle-aged man relates to a young stranger the story of a last love affair that was replete with lust, emotion, depression, and a dysfunctional relationship. A finely crafted work of enduring literary merit which was originally published in 1953, "In Love" is now once again available to a new generation of appreciative readers and is an especially recommended addition to both academic and community library collections.

Moving from the southern tip of Manhattan, where the oldest crimes were committed, to the northern, where the crimes become more recent, Andrew Roth's INFAMOUS MANHATTAN takes up where most walking tours lead off. Most tourists to New York are, basicially, exposed to the famous buildings and theaters, maybe an historic landmark. Other tours concentrate on the lures and cultures of certain neighborhoods like Harlem, Chinatown, the Village, Little Italy, etc. Andrew Roth's book says, "You can go see that stuff anytime. But do you want to see where John Gotti and friends shot down Paul Castellano? Do you want to see the gouges on the Wall Street buildings where a bomb went off in 1920? Then open the book and let's take a walk."

For me, the interesting crimes are the less remembered ones to us today, but were amazing sensations in their day: the murder of Wall Street tycoon Jim Fisk; the murder of architect Stanford White; the site where Nan Patterson shot her philandering boyfriend; the spot where Judge Crater was last seen alive. These and other notorious crime scenes are listed on maps and given brief but sufficient text--sometimes with illustrations--describing the crimes and their outcomes. I hope this book is given new life because it deserves it, even if just for its uniqueness. Sadly, the only update that it will need will be the devestation that occurred on the World Trade Center site on 9/11.

It is a shame that this book has not received the critical attention that it justly deserves. I discovered Andrew Roth's volume in Chicago's "Savvy Traveler" book store, and I took it with me during a four day getaway to Manhattan last year. It is much more than a guidebook to the notorious, though he provides us with a "roadmap" to tourist sites that are well off the beaten path. Mr. Roth is a compelling storyteller who dusts off the famous and forgotten news stories and brings them back to life. Mob assassinations, famous holdups, disasters, it's all here and it is clear to me that the author has an appreciation for the finer details of his stories, and is caught up in the subject matter. Mr. Roth must have devoted a lot of time to gathering the research from newspapers and secondary sources, and then tracking down the crime scenes to see which buildings remain, and what part of our history that has been lost. Without question this was a real labor of love for the author, and I look forward to seeing more of his work in the future.

In 1800 most of New York's 60,000 residents lived below Canal Street, but by 1970 only 800 people lived in Lower Manhattan. In 2000, it was 34,700 and by 2007, the number of residents had increased to 44,700. What was old is new again.

The Juror's Guide to Lower Manhattan is an excellent companion for an urban exploration of the borough's oldest neighborhoods. Wend along narrow streets and past great landmarks. Learn more about Lower Manhattan's colorful past and see for yourself its ongoing transformation.

Mere verbal accounts simply do not hold the impact of photographs in visualizing the changes that time wroughts upon the creations of men. "Lost Waterfront: The Decline And Rebirth Of Manhattan's Western Shore" is an 80-page catalog of full-color photographs taken by Shelley Seccombe between 1972 and 1982 that showcase what a decade has seen transpire among the buildings and shorelines of Manhattan's Hudson River shoreline. The transformation from a booming commercial trade, to its decline, to the reclamation of a devastated area as an impressive and valued public space as a waterfront esplanade with four miles of renovated piers and grassy upland areas is a visual tour-de-force that not only serves as a memorial to what has been accomplished, but also as a template that other similarly blighted areas of other cities can accomplish. "Lost Waterfront" is highly recommended and ultimately inspirational reading.

This is one of the best books I have read for kids on New York City. It's fun to read and educational. It makes a great gift! I have bought several copies for my family and friends. My 8 year old niece was able to read it out loud to her 3 yr old sister and myself. They loved it! My other friends have told me how much their kids especially love Madison's sparkly sunglasses! We live in NYC and have bought several NYC books, but this one is by far the BEST!

This book is wonderful! It tells about Manhattan architeture not only with words, but mainly with pictures! There are tons of full-page, vivid color photos that visualize the words printed on the page. A definite book for anyone enthralled with the architecture of the Greatest City in the World!

Were Thomas Winpenny to write a sequel to his book, Manhattan Bridge, The Troubled Story of a New York Monument, the title would no doubt be, Manhattan Bridge has Fallen Down. The bridge built over the East River and completed in 1909 is, according to statistics, the bridge with the highest number structural dangers. Dr. Winpenny explores the history behind the Manhattan Bridge, its company, The Phoenix Bridge Company, and the bridge's upkeep and use since its opening to public use.

The first half of the book explores the circumstances behind building the bridge. Dr. Winpenny is quick to note that the bridge builders of Manhattan bridge were using a novel approach called "deflection theory" in the building of the Manhattan bridge. "Deflection theory," according to Dr. Winpenny, resulted in bridges that were lighter and supposedly more flexible; but it also resulted in bridges that later would crack and strain under the heavy traffic of subway trains that rumbled across. Another circumstance behind the building of the bridge is its relevance in light of the bridge collapse on the St. Lawrence and near Quebec, where 75 bridge builders plummeted to their deaths. Dr Winpenny suggests that because the Quebec Bridge was a Phoenix Bridge project, the company was willing to undertake the Manhattan bridge even with low profit prospects and cooperation with the bridge union, IAB&SIW. In short, the Phoenix Bridge company used the building of the Manhattan bridge as a means of redeeming their reputation. In what may be considered a slight digression, Dr. Winpenny paints the terroristic "dynamiting" attacks of IAB&SIW members on the property of bridge corporations, which included the Phoenix Bridge Company. In any case, Dr. Winpenny illustrates the national power (or at least zeal) of the bridge unions.

The latter half of Dr. Winpenny's book focuses on the upkeep and use of the Manhattan Bridge since it was completed in 1909. One of the first issues explored is the problem with subway trains on the bridge. The trains were heavy, and moreover they ran on the outside lanes of the bridge, which caused more stress to the bridge than were the trains run on the center lanes. An interesting fact that Dr. Winpenny points out is that, while it makes common sense that the trains should run on the inside lanes, this was not an option to the bridge builders; the costs to rearrange the two entrance ends of the bridge to accommodate these lane configurations was too expensive. Dr. Winpenny also explores the bridge v. tunnel controversy; and he effectively debunks as a post hoc fallacy the belief, held especially by John Ward, that bridges cause hindered growth and devalued property values on each end of the bridge. One figure that Dr. Winpenny highlights as important to the maintenance of the Manhattan Bridge is Robert Moses. This individual is mostly responsible for reconfiguring the ends of the Manhattan bridge to facilitate transportation to and from nearby interstates. In the final section of his book Dr. Winpenny highlights the decrepitude of the Manhattan Bridge. Through natural wear and tear, the effects of weather, and the effects of automobile accidents and other violent movements, the bridge is slowly falling apart. The history since the 1950's is aptly described by Winpenny as "patch, patch, patch." The only problem: is the patching really effective. Despite the numerous efforts to refurnish the bridge to its original structural integrity (whatever that might be), major fissures and cracks have been found on the bridge. The bridge is presently probably the most dangerous bridge in Manhattan in terms of its likelihood of collapsing.

In short, Dr. Winpenny's book is a good exploration of the construction and future problems of the Manhattan Bridge. The historical circumstances surrounding the bridge construction are also well described. Perhaps some additional information on the day-by-day construction problems of building the Manhattan Bridge is called for; but overall Dr. Winpenny gives an excellent account of the Manhattan Bridge and its present infirmities.

For those who have eaten at the restaurant in NY and know how good the chili is, this is your chance to try and recreate their chili. Although you'll never get your chili to taste as good as the restaurant's, it will ease your cravings until you have the chance to go to NY again. These recipes are very easy to follow and the payoff is worth it. Every friend I've given this book to has made at least 3-4 different types of the chili and have liked them all. Tenderfoots be ware!!

I love books set in New York and this is one of the best I have read. There is plenty to follow along and guess what's coming next, the budding relationship is also well writen.