New York Books

I've been reading Himes' stories about Gravedigger and Coffin Ed in order of when they were written (see Wikipedia, if you want a chronology), and this one may be the best yet. The bad guys are extra-eccentric and amoral. The streets are extra-gritty. Grave Digger and Coffin Ed are extra-alone in their fight against it all.

As usual, Himes is better at the first 95% of the story than he is in wrapping up the last 5%. As usual, female characters are, at best, conniving villains or throwaway props. The good stuff is so good that these quibbles hardly matter. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.

There are a few things you can depend on in Chester Himes's great police procedurals featuring Coffin Ed Johnson and Grave Digger Jones : colorful characters, distinctive dialect, a fierce racial sensibility, and plenty of mayhem. Meanwhile, the stories are pleasantly devoid of the kind of self-analysis and interior monologue which clutter up so much of modern fiction, even crime fiction. The Heat's On is something of an exception. Oh, there's more than enough mayhem and what with a giant albino junkie, a hunchback dwarf, a pony-sized attack dog, a faith healer, and various and sundry other folk about, there's certainly adequate local color.

But when, first, the detectives are suspended for treating the dwarf a tad too roughly (for instance, he dies in custody) and then Digger is shot and reported killed, Cotton Ed lets his slip show a little. He becomes a frenzied dynamo of barely contained brutality as he tears a steaming hot Harlem apart searching for the cache of heroin that led to the whole mess. This is a terrific entry in the series and is particularly interesting for Himes's fearsome hostility towards the drug traffic which was blighting the inner-city even then. His attitude makes for an interesting contrast with the permissive modern attitude of many black leaders, who decry harsh prison sentences for drug dealers. It's awfully hard to see Coffin Ed, Grave Digger, or Chester Himes arguing that pushers are victims of an unjust drug war.

GRADE : A

Coffin Ed Johnson and Grave Digger Jones are 2 of strongest characters and 2 of the toughest partners in crime fiction. However in this volume of the Himes series they play an almost secondary role. In spite of this I enjoyed the book as much as Cotton Comes to Harlem. Coffin Ed will go to extremes to revenge his partner as he unravels this mystery.

There are a few things you can depend on in Chester Himes's great police procedurals featuring Coffin Ed Johnson and Grave Digger Jones : colorful characters, distinctive dialect, a fierce racial sensibility, and plenty of mayhem. Meanwhile, the stories are pleasantly devoid of the kind of self-analysis and interior monologue which clutter up so much of modern fiction, even crime fiction. The Heat's On is something of an exception. Oh, there's more than enough mayhem and what with a giant albino junkie, a hunchback dwarf, a pony-sized attack dog, a faith healer, and various and sundry other folk about, there's certainly adequate local color.

But when, first, the detectives are suspended for treating the dwarf a tad too roughly (for instance, he dies in custody) and then Digger is shot and reported killed, Cotton Ed lets his slip show a little. He becomes a frenzied dynamo of barely contained brutality as he tears a steaming hot Harlem apart searching for the cache of heroin that led to the whole mess. This is a terrific entry in the series and is particularly interesting for Himes's fearsome hostility towards the drug traffic which was blighting the inner-city even then. His attitude makes for an interesting contrast with the permissive modern attitude of many black leaders, who decry harsh prison sentences for drug dealers. It's awfully hard to see Coffin Ed, Grave Digger, or Chester Himes arguing that pushers are victims of an unjust drug war.

GRADE : A

Jack Kamen is the father of Rick Kamen. Rick has compiled this book full of many family tales that Jack has told him. Jack's life began in the year 1913, above his father's harness shop in Brooklyn. So there are many tales to read of the Depression, World War I (aka The War To End All Wars), the amazing changes in society, medical care, politics, and their not-so-ordinary family!

Jack's generation was the first born in America. His family before had been Russian Jewish peasants who survived the 1902 slaughter of the Tzar's army. But most stories are 1913 and later. Each show humor, shout of family pride, and end with a grin. The author even uses the words his elders used when they told him their family stories, so unusual words are printed in italics when first used and included in the glossary at the end of the book. This will bring back wonderful memories for those who have been around this world awhile. And it will educated those of us who want to know what things were like back then!

***** Perfect for those who love to listen and learn stories from their parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents! There is no doubt in my mind that every reader who finishes and closes this book will do so with a warm feeling on their inside, a smile on their outside, and the urge to talk to their elders about their own family history! Excellent reading! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch

The stories told by the author are like poems. In just a few words, they express the immigrants' sorrow, tragedy, strugles and thirst for life, along with their warm sense of humor.

Harnessmaker's Son is a delightful collection of humorous family sagas from the early 1900s. In 2-4 page short stories, author Kamen relates growing up in America with some fascinating tales. He describes early medicine and pharmacies, the changes in cars, life during the Depression, and how some things never change - boys and girls, children acting up, and more. But Kamen never becomes too serious - in fact these stories will have you laughing out loud. And the short-story format is perfect for family or classroom reading. Highly recommended as a gift for elders, teachers (any grade), anyone interested in history or families, your children, or for yourself!

The reader gains a deep appreciation for how far American society has advanced since the turn of the century. Most every chapter/story ends with a belly-laugh! Filled with colorful characters! Picture yourself sitting at a counter and a kindly, old gentleman sits down next to you...and begins to relate the many lessons and stories he has accumulated in his long and illustrious life. You are engrossed and entertained! A wonderful dose of realism and humor. I deliberately read the book slowly because I enjoyed it so much that I did not want it to end. I'm hoping there is a sequel.

Excellent!! Cartier-Bresson has got to be among the top 2 or 3 photographers in history. The book contains 155 images presented in a good large format perfect for viewing. You get all of the details. I can sit for hours slowly moving from photo to photo. I am a photographer. This book is teaching me so much about the decisive moment and moods as related to photography. I cannot say enough about the book. Every person interested in photography should have and study this book!!

THE Cartier-Bresson book to own. The reproductions are high-quality and large, the selection is superb, the book is made to last. Almost all my favorites are here. In short, worth the high price. He always deserved a book like this.

Our affective and existential memory not only has been not only enhanced, but enriched in sum grade due the photography in a good portion of its nature, and being the memory the human form of the time, Cartier-Bresson knew to achieve and freeze the actuality to become eternity.

We are commemorating the first centenary of the birth of this giant of the photography. Looking Cartier-Bresson's work we use to remind that admirable sentence of Renoir. " We should remind that a field of wheat painted by Van Gogh can arouse a stronger emotion than a field of wheat in nature."

The astonishing atmosphere displayed around every single picture of this genius of the lens arouses that authentic sensitivity, artistic conviction and supreme commitment that signed his life.

That book is by far one of the most excel and must-have references to keep in mind him.

This is a beautiful book of duotones of Cartier-Bresson's work. It features the most famous photographs Henri has ever photographed and because it was excellently printed, you can truly feel the images with such intensity. This is a definite book to own if you love Henri's work.

I am giving this book 4 stars because it does not rank among the best books I have ever read, which would deserve a 5 star, but certainly better than a mediocre book which would merit only a 3 star. Amazon.com only gives us 5 stars, so I hand them out sparingly.

I enjoyed this old-fashioned read. I laughed at times, felt sympathy and frustration for Sara, and looked forward to where the story was taking her along with the reader. The story line reminds me of the book "Alias Grace" by Margaret Atwood. I am not about to run out and order the other two books in the Joyce Cary trilogy just yet; but some day when I am book dry I know they are there and I can go back to them.

I have just reread Cary's three novels, Herself Surprised, To Be a Pilgrim and The Horse's Mouth. It is amzing that books written during the second world war should be so secure in their tone about a vanishing England and its history. Cary uses his three entirely diffeent voices - tricky sensuous woman, nervy religious dirty old man, obsessed manipulative artist- better than anyone else i know uses the limitations of the first person to show what we do and don't know about each other. His descriptions of places and things are delicious. Also I shd like to say what beautiful books the New York Review paperbacks are to handle and read. Most people know The Horse's Mouth, and many know Herself Surprised . I'm not sure To Be A Pilgrim isn't the best and most surprising of the three- which is saying something.

My take on Sara Monday is very different from what I'm reading here. I believe that she loved life and indulged herself in its pleasures. At the same time she was a nurturing soul. Read it for yourself to decide about her character. Gulley Jimson is also a great character. The descriptions in this book are wonderful. She describes the sea as being like oven glass one day and the edges of knives another. It is so good that I didn't want it to end, and now I'm going to read the other two books in the trilogy.

Cary's Sara Monday has often been compared--quite rightly--to Moll Flanders, another irresistible, irrepressible woman of highly suspect morals. Sara's odd adventures in marriage and love make for a highly entertaining read, but you should also pay close attention to her observations of her society; for a woman of little apparent reflection, there's very little that seems to escape her notice. All three books in the Gulley Jimson triptych are remarkable, but this one has a special poignancy.

I read Heyday while on vacation this past month and was pleasantly surprised. Written in post war NYC (that is WWI) and prior to the crash of the stock market, the story revolves around a loveable protagonist who is surrounded by a family of friends that include several lovable but flawed personalities. The story is endearing and well written. This is easily one of my favorite stories, and I can hardly wait for Mr. Butler to pen another story...

I approached this book as a curiosity, but once I began to read it, I couldn't put it down. It is fascinating and fun, with interesting characters and a lively story whose twists and turns take you on a wild ride of adventure. This is not some cliche 1920s tome with obligatory flappers and bootleggers, but rather a well researched, well executed multidimensional work that makes the era really come to life. Although I know Heyday is being marketed to a gay audience, I really think this book will find a much larger following.

Having been born after prohibition was repealed, I have no first-hand knowledge of this period of history. Michael Butler has provided me with wonderful information on this subject, as well as on the subject of the gay culture of the time. The story is at the same time raw, poignant, historical, and kept me on the edge of my chair.

Intricate, captivating and fun. I assume (from the back cover notes) that this is Butler's first novel, but it's hard to believe. He develops characters quickly, draws the reader in and leads them through a complex, at times almost zany, plot. The New York Times review originally caught my attention -- pretty lavish for an unknown -- but now I understand why. I hope Butler's working on his next novel right now.

With the Amerks poised to enter their 50th season in 2005-06 this book is an important part of a proud hockey team's history. The section on the Cardinals is particularly informative and makes one wonder what might have been had that team survived. Just to see the photos of the Calder cup champion Amerks of the mid-'60s (the greatest Amerk teams EVER!) brings back fond memories of how great the pre-expansion American Hockey League was.

One will notice the dedication that was put into this book by the in-dept stories and a vast selection of historical photographs. In my opinion, if you are someone who follows hockey either it being past or present, this is a book to add to your collection.

Mr. Lamphier gives us an unique view of a franchise of humbling beginnings to one of the most successful sports franchises in the United States.

The stories, and pictures gives all of us a film to past up to the present. This is a must read for all sports lovers.

Great Job Mr. Lamphier!

Any sports enthusiast will enjoy the story of a city's allegiance to a sport they truly embraced. Any hockey fan will enjoy the walk down memory lane with this extensive collection of historical photos of the struggles and triumphs of Rochester's professional and college teams.

Even though the book is somewhat dated, this is a highly entertaining read and full of information and history about the Plaza Hotel. If you are an experienced visitor or not of high end hotels, you will enjoy the tips on how to get the most of your visit at any 4-star hotel.

The perceptions and details of the staff positions are eye openers and will certainly give you another view of what takes place to ensure guests are comfortable and happy during their stay. The research that was involved and first hand observance is highly commendable.

This book gives an insider's view of a luxury hotel in New York. The author spends a week at the Plaza Hotel, visiting with various staff and guests. We get vignettes of the entire operation, from the doorman and front desk to the laundry, kitchen, concierge, security, bellhops, housekeeping staff, management, etc. The book is a running interview, the author records whatever was happening at the moment, while talking to the various staff. It also includes a bit of the history of the hotel. The week culminates with the visit of the King and Queen of Sweden.

One impression is that a great deal goes on behind the scenes of such apparent effortless luxury, especially dealing with the slovenliness or disorderly behavior of various guests. The reader will gain an appreciation for those who provide hospitality during future stays.

The only drawback to this book is that it is now a bit dated (1989), and as such is now more a work of history rather than a depiction of the current facility. One wonders what a modern reprise might include, with new wrinkles resulting from today's business travelers and their computers, cell phones, and post-9/11 security needs, modern concern with communicable disease, information security, etc...

I came accross the book listed on Amazon as an out of print book, but having stayed at the Plaza ONCE, in Dec 99, as a treat for my wife Carole who had terminal cancer [died 13 Oct 00], I wanted to have a better memmory for myself and the children, who came too, Alex 1, Bethany 7 and James 12 who has Autism. They adored NY and we adored The Plaza, we had a Junior Suite at the special rate of $350 [50% off] with Grandparents next door in a Classic Room again at 50% off [$250]

This book just SHINES, it tells a fantastic story of life at this world famous hotel, we live if England, and are NOT typical Plaza types.

If you love NY, you probably have visted or intend to visit if not stay at The Plaza, even if just one night, DO BUY THIS BOOK. I had to pay the extra search fee and the extra UK shipping, but it was well worth it. I sincreely recooment this book to nay NY or Plaza fan. Make the time - find a copy.

Robert rjh39@yahoo.com

"The Hotel" is a great book that goes behind-the-scenes of the Plaza Hotel. The author interviews maids, chefs, janitors, managers, and many others. The book is set up in chapters that go day-by-day - truly showing "a week in the life of the Plaza."

I got this and "Hardings Luck" one christmas about twentyfive years ago. These stories have stayed with me throughout my adult life and I have never forgotten how I was swept away by the stories. These books are educational while being simply spellbinding...my imagination went wild, back then. Absolutely a must!

One of the delightful things about this book is that it treats children as thinking beings, yet still manages to contain all of the magic and adventure of childhood. As in all of her work, E. Nesbit tells an exciting story while encouraging the reader to consider the meaning of things. One of the best books written by one of the best children's writers of all time.

I was hoping to read this book to my 7 year old boy. It was heavy for him and somewhat slow. The book requires maturity and sophisticated vocabulary, somehow it does not fit the pace at which our kids live now.

It certainly can be appreciated by an older, more mature kid, who loves the English language. It is beautifully written.

Two 10-year-olds are the last survivors of a long line of english aristocrats.The family castle lies in ruins, but the children are determined to restore it to its former glory with the help of the long-lost family treasure. The task seems daunting, but they soon discover there's some intricate, powerful magic in the family crest.. Subsequently the treasure hunt hurtles along at breathtaking pace. The magic includes frequent trips into the turbulent (and dangerous) times of England's feudal past to discover the exact time and place where the treasure was hidden.. This book and it's sequel (or prequel?!) "Harding's Luck" can't be recommended enough. They are children's classics of the nicest kind - not the least bit sirupy - but full of adventure and magic

This is a very well written book about the iconic Rockefellers and their family estate. It's interesting how the house seems to act as a metaphor for each of the family member's, their interests, their desires. Kykuit is an amazing set peice and the mixture of Jr.'s Bosworth and Ogden Codman classical estate, Sr's wanting the house to be tasteful and not too grand, and Nelson's avande garde, modern tastes. The estate and it's location are breathtaking and the Codman interiors are exquisite. This is a very well researched and fascinating study of the Rockefellers and their Kykuit. I do recommend getting the Rockefeller Family Home: Kykuit, it's very good.

Lee and Robert Dalzell have put together a very fascinating look at both the history of the home that generations the Rockefeller family occupied, how they built it, wrestled over it, disagreed about it and loved it which reflected the complicated relationships of the dynasty. Not unlike many parent and sibling relationships, there were arguments about what their parents' intentions were, Senior's and Junior's, Abby's, etc. and how they lived their lives based on interpretations of their parental affinities. The home (house?) becomes the symbol of the old world of privilege as well as a modern world of the current generation. The house and now the entire estate essentially was cobbled together and pulled apart as each new generation left its own footprints.
I particularly enjoyed trying to separate Lee's from Robert's "story" as well as the intertwining story of the house and the family.

This is much more than a book on the building of a house. It is about three generations of a family, their individual personalities, their character and development over time, all centered around the construction of a house that became a national monument. It is about their time and place in history. It is well written, a delight to read and leaves the reader yearning to know about the succeeding generation.
Bob McGill

I read this book from an architect's viewpoint, and it squares with my experience that there is something about homebuilding that is intensely personal. Much has been written about visionary Designers. In fact, it is the clients who hire and steer those designers who are writing their world views large. I visited Kykuit once and thought the design was quirky for a pile from the mansion age...quirky but with vim & vigor, bold but not bombastic. Now I know how it got to be that way.

I learned a lifetime love of reading from my parents who had the great insight of choosing childrens books for me that treated children with respect. This book is a perfect example of that. It is simple enough for the earliest of readers, yet captivating and enchanting for me then as now.

I loved this book as a child, and for years looked for it as an adult. Finally, when my fiance found it and gave it to me as an adult on my birthday (41st!) it brought tears to my eyes. It is that good. Thank you Messrs. Vogel and Sendak.

All little Lori wanted to do was visit Times Square. But no matter how hard he tried to get there, things just didn't work out. He started at 8th Street and took the subway. But instead of going to Times Square, he ended up at South Ferry. So he took a bus and got off at 242nd Street, nowhere near Times Square. He hailed a taxi, but the driver wouldn't take him to Times Square because he had no money. So he rode the elevated subway, but ended up at his Uncle Eddie's house in Queens. And on and on to Staten Island, Idlewild Airport, Central Park and even the 125th floor of Macy's, but not Times Square. Poor Lori had had enough. He sat down on the sidewalk and cried and that's when the talking turtle came walking by. He knew exactly how to get to Times Square..... Written in 1963, Amos Vogel's charming and clever little story is as fresh today, as it was almost 40 years ago. His simple, spare text is wonderfully complemented by Maurice Sendak's inventive, humorous and familiar artwork and together they've authored an ageless treasure the entire family will enjoy. Perfect for children 4-8, How Little Lori Visited Times Square is a winner and a story youngsters will want to read again and again.

Almost everyone has a dream now and then when it is impossible to get to where you want to go. In the morning, you may feel more tired than if you had lain awake all night. This book takes that experience, and adds new comic elements to it. Wonderful Maurice Sendak illustrations imaginatively . . . s . . . l . . . o . . . w . . . . . . d . . . o . . . w . . . n . . . . . t . . . h . . . e . . . . . . p . . . a . . . c . . . e.

"(This is a very funny book and should not be read while drinking orange juice or you will spill it!)" Be sure to heed that warning. I suggest drinking nothing more colorful than water.

"One day Lori said to himself: 'I want to see Times Square.'"

Unfortunately, he doesn't quite know where it is or how to get there. He walked to the subway, but ended up at South Ferry. Then a bus took him to 242nd Street. From there, he was soon expelled from a taxi for lack of funds. The elevated subway took him to Uncle Eddie's home in Queens. The boat went to Staten Island. A helicopter flew him to Idlewild Airport (now Kennedy, having been renamed after this book was first published in 1963). A horse and wagon pulled him to the middle of Central Park. A pony trotted him around in circles. Some sea lions just got him wet. An elevator took him to the 125th floor of Macy's (there is no such floor).

He was then crying on the sidewalk, less than 12 blocks from Times Square.

A turtle speaks . . . s . . . l . . . o . . . w . . . l . . . y and tries to help. "So Lori got on, and the turtle started crawling (very slowly of course)."

"AND THIS WAS FOUR MONTHS AGO . . . And nobody has heard from them since . . . ."

The best part of the story is after Lori meets the turtle. Each two-page spread is initially accompanied by only one word, to emphasize the turtle's slowness. Mr. Sendak does a great job of showing how Lori's emotions shift as the turtle continues on speaking slowly.

On the other hand, much of the rest of the book seems somewhat pointless other than to list that there are lots of ways to get around in New York.

A major lesson here is that you need to have both a goal and some idea of how to achieve it. If you don't have a good plan, you had better get a strong partner. This book makes those lessons very well.

Where do you lack clear goals and direction to accomplish those goals? Who can help you quickly to reach effectiveness in your pursuit of the goal? How can you attract their assistance?

Be sure you're moving in the right direction . . . and at the right pace!

Nice book by my dad about me when i was little with pictures drawn by our friend maurice its funny and sad and goes all around 60's nyc to places that don't all exist anymore.

Your kids will enjoy it.