New York Books

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.

This book is for all ages. From Babe Ruth to Barry Bonds, it has it all. It is loaded with interesting facts and stories about the begining of baseball to the current day. It's a great book to read with the kids. "Hey Batta Batta Swing!: The Wild Old Days of Baseball" is a perfect gift for any baseball fanatic.

Sally Cook, James Charlton and Ross MacDonald have a major league hit with HEY BATTA BATTA SWING! Fans and non-fans alike will enjoy dipping into this deliciously nostalgic book that combines wit, style and fascinating baseball lore. Buy a copy and keep it on hand for when you need a gift for the hard-to-buy-for...but you're likely to end up keeping it for yourself!

Sally Cook's new book is a great way to welcome both baseball season and summer. It's the most fun you'll have with baseball unless it is going to say, a Red Sox/Yankees tied-to-the-end game! And it's not for kids only - it's a PERFECT Father's Day gift, for baseball fans and history buffs alike.

Sally Cook's new book is packed with interesting baseball facts and history, and it's written in a light-hearted style both children and adults will enjoy. Even for someone who is not a baseball fan, I was amazed to discover the game was part of American culture as far back as the middle of the 19th century. The illustrations are fun and perfectly suit the subject matter.

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.

There are many books about the AT, but this one is superb for it's detail and attention to partial sections for hiking. Can be used for thru hiking as well. Gives day and overnight parking details, profile of terrain, degree of difficulty, recommended direction, water and shelter locations, topo maps, mileage etc. Everything that a hiker needs!! Excellent.

I have 2 books in this series, and have frequently used photocopied pages from them on my AT section hikes. I never needed to buy the AMC versions of the maps since comprehensive maps are provided within this book, along with mileage charts for road crossings, springs, campsites, landmarks, etc. for every section of the Trail.

Although this book is obviously geared for the day-hiker or overnighter, it has also come in handy on my longer hikes. And the writers have narrowed down every section into either 1- or 2-day hikes, along with directions to the trailheads (even in the remote 100-Mile Wilderness section in Maine!), proving that the AT can be enjoyed by casual hikers as well as hardcore mile-crunchers.

Cons: This book, and the others in the series, is seriously due for an updated edition. Lots has changed along the trail even in 8 years. (carrying up-to-date pages from the ALDHA Thru-Hikers' Companion is necessary to have the full info). Also, the maps are two-color, making certain features hard to read, i.e. roads are the same color as elevation markings.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE are NOT 170 hikes in the book. The whole series must contain that many.

I own 3 books in this series. The Southern Appalachian, the Virginias, and the Mid-Atlantic States guide. I have found these books to be a great aid in planning hikes, especially 2-3 day backpacking trips. Since most of these hikes are either one-way or round trip (as opposed to circuit hikes) you either need to have two cars or plan on seeing the same sites twice. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, but other books have better circuit hikes.

This series IS very informative, not only with regards to the actually hike, but also the history both natural and otherwise of the area you are hiking in.

I have only done a few of the hikes in the Mid-Atlantic Guide, all of which have been out and back day hikes, and this book has been very informative during these hikes. The maps could be a little better, as they are topographocal maps with a green line for the trail.. They are adequate, but I've seen better.

All 41 hikes come with a description, a map, an elevation profile, and an itinerary, as well as various other information.

When planning for a hike I do tend to use this book in conjunction with other books, but I usually take this book (or copies of the pages) on the actual hike itself. The fact that the pages are so small allows for easier handling and storage of the laminated pages during the trip.

So if you enjoy hiking and are near the AT while in PA, you may want to take a look at this book. It is well worth the money.

It is clear that these authors were not kidding when they stated that they have a love affair with the Appalachian Trail. The descriptions not only cover all you need to know to be prepared to hike a certain section, but there's lots of history and local color as well.

I've used this book successfully to plan hikes for a youth group. I must admit I disregarded the advice that a certain section (Knife's Edge) was not for those suffering from vertigo and sure enough, the group of kids I took on this section included one who suffered severely from fear of heights. But the kids worked together to get through that section and all was very well in the end.

This book is by no means dry. Sprinkled here and there are humorous passages, like the classification of vampire rocks versus jumping rocks. A pollution-damaged section is described as "shaved clean."

An experienced hiker who has decided to hike section-hike or day-hike the trail between Harper's Ferry and the New York / Connecticut state line needs no other guide. I also recommend this book for the library of every youth group, particularly scouts, in this geographic area that would (or should) plan hiking outings as part of their yearly plans.

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.

I have read several books on mutual funds but this one by far is the best. Fredman and Wiles cover almost every topic that you could think of: how to analyze the fund, sorting out costs, evaluating risks and much more. The authors make no assumptions about what the reader is likely to know about mutual funds and write in a manner that is both engaging and enjoyable. Also, it is not just an academic treatment of the subject matter. The reader is invited to perform his own calculations and check things out. This is accomplished in one of the concluding chapters where a mutual fund action plan is dicussed in great detail. The book is topped off with some very good sources of additional information for mutual fund investors and appendices which help the reader perform some of the calculations discussed in the book. Overall, this book makes for a good read for a beginner or even a seasoned mutual fund investor.

This is a great book to have in your library, whether it is an introduction to the topic, a refresher, or to fill in the blanks of what you already know. It discusses finance in easy-to-understand language and is great at clarifying its points. It was recommended to me by my employer, a leading financial advisor, who regularly recommends books on the subject. This is the first of many recommendations he made.

Even though the authors are academics, this book is not bogged down with heavy, collegiate, turgid text and calculations. Rather, Fredman and colleagues have simply gone about explaining the various difficult-to-understand aspects of the mutual funds industry. This information is essential to your understanding of the various ratings and types of mutual funds.

As a securities industry manager and former regulator, I first began to use the book to become familiar with the details of such things as 12b-1 fees, expense ratios, comparative assessment of funds, features offered as sales incentives or to ease transactions (e.g. dividend reinvestment, 1035 exchanges, intra-fund familiy exchanges, etc.).

As time went on I have kept this book in my office. It has become essential to answer the occasional questions that arise and which are more detailed and technical than my memory can answer. The book has never come up short on this count.

You should also look for other publications of NYIF (New York Institute of Finance). This is formerly the publishing arm of the NYSE. The material published by NYIF is "from the horse's mouth" and right on the mark for those seeking to learn details of how the profession of finance works. Despite this, the material is never overly technical and theoretical. Rather, the material is practical day-to-day information which will wind up on your reference shelf.

I read this book as a student and consequently learned far more than I expected. The language is easy to understand and the comlexity of the subject/language increases at an acceptable pace. The opinion of the book leans more towards a conservative form of investing...one should expect a decent return but not get too greedy.