New York, 15 Walking Tours: An Architectural Guide to the Metropolis

by Gerard R. Wolfe

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"IF THERE IS A BETTER GUIDEBOOK TO NEW YORK CITY WITH A HISTORICAL BENT, WE HAVEN'T SEEN IT." *--American Heritage magazine

You can ride the subway and buses, even take a cruise on the Staten Island Ferry. But the best way to discover the architectural majesty of New York City is the old-fashioned way: on foot And with McGraw-Hill's newly expanded New York: 15 Walking Tours as your guide, you'll discover why the architecture of the Big Apple is still recognized as the world's most powerful, most sophisticated, and most influential.

Packed with little-known historical details that will intrigue both tourists and natives alike, New York: 15 Walking Tours leads you on a journey that reveals New York's beginnings as a small community clustered at the southern tip of Manhattan to its present-day status as the Great Metropolis. Along the way, you'll be introduced to its landmark buildings and architectural styles plus a host of historical details that have come to symbolize not only the City of New York, but our entire culture as well.

The revised New York: 15 Walking Tours puts architectural history into fascinating context, and includes:
* Fifteen walking tours marked on easy-to-follow street maps, with travel directions and landmark designations noted throughout
* A discussion of September 11th, 2001, and its widespread effect on lower Manhattan
* The latest historic building and district landmark designations
* Nearly 300 vintage photographs and engravings that bring New York's history to life
* Unusual historical facts such as the discovery of the African Burial Ground, New York's hidden first subway, the Draft Riots and other riots, the Triangle Fire, the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, etc.

So no matter if you're an out-of-towner or a dyed-in-the-wool New Yorker, do what comes naturally the next time you feel like exploring amazing architecture: take a walk And do it with New York: 15 Walking Tours as your companion.

THE TOURS INCLUDE:
* Lower Manhattan and Battery Park
* Manhattan's Financial District
* City Hall and "Newspaper Row"
* Greenwich Village
* The Lafayette Historic Group
* The Lower East Side
* The SoHo Cast-Iron District
* Gramercy Park and Madison Square
* Ladies' Mile and Union Square
* Old Chelsea
* Forty-Second Street and Times Square
* The Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island
* Brooklyn Heights

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0071411852
• ISBN13: 9780071411851
• Release Date: April 2003
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies
• Length: 496 Pages
• Weight: 1.36 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

A guide to the metropolis

Very well written , easy to read this book will teach you the most you need to know about NYC ...

The Key to New York Architecture and History

I was astonished to read Wander's mean and petty review. His nastiness spurred me to buy a copy for myself, and was not surprised to discover that Wander's review was the work of a dissatisfied, disturbed person. To attack Wolfe in such a manner displays his (Wander's) lack of judgment, knowledge, background, and experience, to say nothing of decency. Now that I've bought the book and have taken several of Wolfe's tours, I can say without hesitation that it is the best walking tour guide available. I loved his completeness and good humor, backed up by a solid knowledge of New York City history and architecture. Quick, get a copy before it goes out of print! When will McGraw-Hill come out with a new edition? Stanley I. Rubin

For the Serious!!

"15 Walking Tours" is a treasure trove of information about New York City. It is heavy on neighborhood by neighborhood facts, nearly to the point of overload. There are virtual building by building narrations! "15" is also loaded with historical anecdotes. The author seems immersed in fascination with old NYC department stores from the halcyon days of the "carriage trade". That was when New York was really New York! The text is also buttressed by some wonderful old historical photos. Serious work went into this publication and it shows. There are some factual glitches: The text misstates the tenure of former Mayor Wagner (it was 1954-1965) and misdescribes the Vietnam Veterans Memorial next to 55 Water Street. The plaza has been upgraded substantially in recent years. It had fallen into disgraceful disrepair. There are other slips but this reviewer would give the author a pass here. This is New York and there is so much to keep track of. The question here is who will use "15"? This is not for the casual tourist. Only the most dedicated need apply. Potential applicants for becoming a licensed tour guide come to mind! This reviewer is awarding 4 stars based on the serious nature of the text and the amount of research involved. "15" has been around since 1975; silent testimony that many have found it useful, if not casual reading.

A MUST FOR LICENSED NYC TOUR GUIDES

I learned more about Manhattan's Lower East Side in this book, than any other in my collection. As a licensed, NYC tour guide, this is now the first book I go to, the ultimate reference. 15 neighborhoods are highlighted with solid information on the architecture of hundreds of buildings as well as nuggets of fascinating stories. Read about how one now defunt NYC Dept. store shipped an albino elephant to one skeptical customer. All true! Anyone studying for the NYC sightseing exam needs to have this book in their collection.

My favorite guide to NYC!

This is the best guide of its kind which I have seen. Wolfe is thorough, engaging, sometimes funny and a joy to read. As a tour guide I have read many books on NYC, and this is one of my favorites. Unlike many other authors, he pays more than lip-service to the outer boroughs, and also offers a good guide to Roosevelt Island. Let's see an updated edition!!!