Among my favorite books are Cecil Adams's pointed and funny "Straight Dope" series, in which, with wit and candor, he answers any stupid question a reader cares to pose him. Here's the New York City equivalent: an entertaining, educational, and enlightening collection of questions about New York City, answered with style and authority by the writers of the New York Times's "F.Y.I." column.

This is an essential collection for any New York resident, expatriate, fan, or tourist. Ever wonder why subway conductors perform that wacky John Travolta pointing move before opening the doors of a train? What's that imposing-looking building with no windows in lower Manhattan? What's up with the Grecian urn design on paper coffee cups in New York delis? For anyone who's ever wondered about NYC mysteries like these (and many, many more), here's the ultimate resource.

Like eating peanuts, it's addictive (I dare to you just read *one* question and answer!), and the Q&A format is brisk and entertaining, answering queries on subjects ranging from history, sports, streets, food, subways, and New Yorkers of all stripes. A thorough "New York Gazetteer" at the end is a quick almanac of all that info you think you need but don't know where to find (how to determine the nearest cross street to a Manhattan address, what's your police precinct and community board location, etc.) The only complaint? This book ends much too soon...sequel, please, FYI guys?

If you live in New York or visit it, you *need* this book. After all, the consummate New Yorker is a know-it-all expert who always has the answers about the most arcane and obscure topic. With this book, you can be one too.

This book is a must-read for any self-respecting resident of the Big Apple. The only thing more fascinating than the answers are the questions themselves, things that may have briefly passed through the transem of your subsconscious and quickly forgotten about. Why, for example, does every building in NYC seem to have one of those wooden water towers on top? Why is West 4th Street actually on the East side? Who is Major Deegan, and if he was a good enough military leader to get his own highway, why have I never read about him in the history books? Read "The Curious New Yorker" and you will be able to answer these and hundreds of other questions - and achieve A-list status on the Gotham party circuit as a result. That's because there is no more fascinating topic of discussion in New York than the City itself. Instead of giving everyone a copy of the Yellow Pages when you move into an apartment, your superintendent should give you this book. You'll get a lot more out of it.

Eagerly awaited this book, but expected it to be another 'photo' book, but it is a well-researched, nicely mapped handbook to the surviving diners of Pennsylvania. Very useful if you live in or expect to pass through Pennsylvania and love diners. Very highly recommended.

A great gift for someone or for yourself. Lots of information on Pennsylvania dinners present and past. Has wonderful photos and history. I bought the book as a gift and plan to buy one for myself to visit these rare jems of PA!

This is a great book for anyone who visits New York City and wants to walk in the footsteps of Africans and African Americans. The guide helps you to understand the important contributions of black people past and present. The information is quite comprehensive and includes well-written descriptions of historic sites, restaurants and cultural venues.

Anyone who wants to know about African Americans in New York City will find value in this wonderful guide.

This book is fantastic!! It has everything - history, culture, restaurants, live music, shopping, guided tours and lots of valuable information about black New York. Everyone knows about the Statue of Liberty, Broadway, Times Square and all the other sites that tourist visit, but Discovering Black New York explores places that I was not aware of, like the Joloff and Brooklyn Moon restaurants in Brooklyn, Sylvan Terrace in Harlem and the African American Museum in Hempstead, Long Island.

It's written in a friendly inviting way, that inspires you to visit all the great places in the book. I loved this book!!!!

What a super book. If you are interested in postcard history, or a lover of the adirondacks, this book has both.
The book includes 8 chapters, with 6 of the chapters giving biographies of postcard photographers of the 19th and 20 century,Mandeville, Beach, Kollecker, Ameden,Wooley, and Cassen
It was hard to put this book down.

Author has produced an interesting book of those early twentieth century photographers, whose works can still be found on early postcards. Much more than a coillection of post card images, the author has produced a book with much historical significance.

Joseph Schneiderman did his homework in abundance for this extraordinary guidebook. He displayed a deep interest in the New York Fire Department for many years before the tragedy of 9-11 showed the rest of the world what tremendous human beings and professionals the firefighters are.
Consequently, the guidebook pays due attention to the outer boroughs, which in the culture of firefighting and firehouses do not relinquish pride of place to Manhattan. The anecdotes about his particular experiences with individual firefighters enliven each page, as do the abundant and high-quality photographs of a great many of the "houses". He provides a most welcome feature for the interested person--the prospective "buff"--who wants to visit some of the houses: a sense of the context of each within the city, e.g. travel directions, listing of other firehouses nearby that could easily be grouped for a short tour, even mention of where to get snacks in the vicinity.
And the Quiz for readers is one of the funniest things in print.
My advice: run don't walk to buy this book for yourself. If you know anybody who likes firefighting, firehouses, firetrucks, firemen, or any part of New York City, give it as a gift as well.

This book is excelent, Everyone that checks out this book, will love it. I personally know the author, he sits in front of me in chemistry class, and all i will say is, the kid knows something about firemen. Buy the book and send a kid to college.

A quick and to-the-point guide. Well organized with info on neighborhood restaurants on the same page as the description of the attraction. And the size makes it easy to slip in a coat pocket or purse. Perfect.

This book is so easy to read. All sites are listed in alphabetical order, so there is no flipping to the index that I had to do with other books. It gives a good, parent based review on many of the most popular NYC sites.

Who would have guessed it could be this easy! We found lots of great places to go and had a week of fun with the kids. This book is right on target, without the trendy babble. Can't wait to visit New York again.

Fantastic guide to cruise the backroads and major roads with a car full of kids. Both the well known attractions and the obscure are covered. Check the web sites to preview places to go before your vacation. Informative but not cluttered with useless information.

I went to greenwich village last month and I spent a week in the village. I picked up this book to guide my adventures and I was so glad that I did.

Some really great excepts of this book can be found at www.Greenwich-Village.Co

As a native New Yorker, I even learned stuff from this complete, well written guide. This guide has everything from museums, to zoos, to stores, to "boredom busters!" Everything you need to know to keep kids busy in the city! A must have for all New Yorkers with kids! even if you are just visiting.

I live in N.Y. and my sister lives in Philly. She has 3 children and wants to move to N.Y. I told her it's great here, but still she had to do some "homework." She bought this book and really liked it, so she told me to read it. I thought I know everything about N.Y. But I guess I didn't. Now I know the best places to SHOP!! Thanks to your book!!

Broken down by neighborhoods, this pocket-sized guide is oriented towards those living in Manhattan who just need to know where things are or how to get to them. For each area, it shows ATMs (including the bank so you know if you'll pay a fee), Bagels, Landmarks, 24-hour pharmacies and gas stations, hospitals, police stations, post offices,, schools, libraries, marketplaces, bars, cafes, gyms, hardware and liquor stores, movie theatres, pet stories, a few restaurants, video rentals, car rentals and parking -- practically everything you could want to know as a resident or visitor. Then the book continues with layouts of the stadiums, major parks, World Trade Center and their services. At the back, there are also lists of the bookstores, FedEx locations, theatres, dog runs, art galleries, 24-hour services, parking rules, ferries and airlines, and almost anything else you might to look up regardless of neighborhood. I found its directions for the best way to get to/from the three major airports useful enough to justify buying the book even without everything else. Have given this book to a number of people as The One to carry around to get oriented or to have at home for quick use. If you love Manhattan, you have to have this book.

Unlike many other specialized New York City guides, this is one book that you truly should not leave home without. It manages to convey light-hearted commentary on a city its residents love to hate, while still communicating vital information such as ATM locations, FedEx drop boxes, and even a few select restaurants. No matter what your plans are in the big city, chances are you'll refer to this guide at least once. A necessity for any Manhattanite, and even tourists.